Patients who experienced severe Invokamet side effects may be eligible for compensation through legal action.

Invokamet, Invokana, and Invokamet XR are type-2 diabetes medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors cause the kidneys to remove sugar from the body by secreting it in the urine. The FDA has approved these medications for use with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adult patients with type-2 diabetes.

However, the FDA has received numerous reports which name ketoacidosis and diabetic amputation as possible Invokamet side effects.

Between March 2013 and June 2014, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System indicated 20 cases of ketoacidosis in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors such as Invokamet XR. These patients required hospitalization or visits to the emergency room to treat the condition.

On May 15, 2017, the FDA made a safety announcement warning patients who are taking SGLT2 inhibitors to watch for symptoms of ketoacidosis as they are at an increased risk to experience such Invokamet side effects. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and unusual levels of fatigue.

Ketoacidosis is a condition where the body produces high levels of ketones (blood acids) that increase the acidity of bodily fluids. Treatment of ketoacidosis involves fluid replacement, electrolyte replacement, and insulin therapy. Fluids and electrolytes will replace nutrients lost from excessive urination and can help dilute the excess sugar in the blood. Insulin therapy reverses the cellular processes that cause ketoacidosis.

Through recent studies, the FDA has also associated the use of SGLT2 inhibitors with an increased risk of lower limb amputation. Studies have shown that people taking these medications are twice as likely to undergo lower limb amputation when compared to patients taking a placebo.

On May 16, 2017, the FDA made a safety announcement stating, “Based on new data from two large clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that the type 2 diabetes medicine canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR) causes an increased risk of leg and foot amputations”.

Diabetic amputations include amputations of the toe, foot, knee, or leg. People who have peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, or diabetic foot ulcers are at a higher risk for Invokamet side effects including amputation.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common problem for diabetic patients and are often the first step on the road to diabetic amputation. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 80% of amputations begin with foot ulcers. The ulcers can cause serious damage to tissues and an open healing wound can increase the risk of life-threatening infection. In such advanced cases, amputation is often the only option.

Personal injury lawyers are actively looking for diabetic drug users who experienced adverse Invokana or Invokamet side effects such as diabetic amputation and diabetic ketoacidosis. If you or a loved one experiences adverse side effects after taking Invokamet, Invokamet XR, or Invokana, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug manufacturer. An Invokamet side effects lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.