A California man has filed a product liability claim against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company’s Invokana medicine caused him to develop diabetic ketoacidosis.

His claim is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of allegations from other type-2 diabetes patients who were prescribed the Invokana medicine and allegedly suffered diabetic ketoacidosis or other serious side effects.

Plaintiff Antonio S. says he was prescribed Invokana medicine for typical treatment purposes, but had allegedly developed diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of his prescription. Antonio opted to file legal action against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, after discovering the companies may have known their Invokana medicine was linked to diabetic ketoacidosis.

According to the Invokana lawsuit, Antonio was prescribed Invokana in March 2015 and was instructed to take the medication in conjunction with exercise and diet. Invokana is an SGLT2 inhibitor medication, which is prescribed for glycemic control in type-2 diabetes patients.

The Invokana medicine works by preventing the body from absorbing too much sugar and by ridding it of excess glucose through urination. This helps the body maintain a healthy level of blood sugar, which is vital for the body’s metabolic process.

Metabolizing fat instead of sugar can leave an excess of acidic compounds in the blood. This leads to the development of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to severe kidney damage or complete kidney failure.

This allegedly happened to Antonio, who had been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis on Feb. 9, 2016 and was hospitalized for treatment. Antonio alleges he has sustained major physical damages, economic loss, as well as pain and suffering.

Antonio states he would not have agreed to take the Invokana medicine if he had known its alleged link to diabetic ketoacidosis.

Overview of Invokana Diabetic Ketoacidosis

The FDA released a public warning about diabetic ketoacidosis in conjunction with the Invokana medicine and other SGLT2 inhibitors on May 15, 2015, alarming both the general population and medical community.

The FDA issued the warning after the agency’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) received 20 reports of cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, ketoacidosis, or ketosis between March 2013 and June 6, 2014.

Each of these patients required hospitalization, with the FDA stating SGLT2 inhibitor treatment mechanism may be linked to diabetic ketoacidosis because it works directly with the kidneys. Patients prescribed the Invokana medicine or other SGLT2 inhibitors should be wary of any signs or symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis including:

• Breathing Difficulty
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Severe Levels of Fatigue

Even though diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially fatal complication, patients claim Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the public against this correlation with Invokana in a timely manner. At all times relevant, Antonio says he relied on the marketing statements and advertisements presented by the company.

Antonio’s Invokana lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Antonio’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01677-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.