According to a recent FDA communication, a flesh-eating infection could be among Invokana side effects and those of other drugs in its class.

The FDA recently issued a warning regarding Invokamet side effects and other type-2 diabetes medications. The August 2018 warning stated that SGLT2 (sodium glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitor complications have been linked to cases of Fournier’s gangrene, which is a potentially fatal flesh eating genital infection.

The FDA issued this warning after identifying 12 cases of Fournier’s gangrene between March 2013 to May 2018 in patients who were reportedly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors.

When compared to other type-2 diabetes medications, there have been only six recorded cases of Fournier’s gangrene in the last 30 years. According to the FDA, all SGLT2 inhibitor patients who reported Fournier’s gangrene required surgery, with one of them reportedly dying from the condition.

Fournier’s gangrene is a type of necrotizing fasciitis, which is a rare bacterial infection commonly known as “flesh eating bacteria.” According to a 2012 study published by ISRN Surgery and the US National Library of Medicine, Fournier’s gangrene has a 20 percent mortality rate and should be treated seriously.

SGLT2 Inhibitor Complications

SGLT2 inhibitors first entered the market in 2013. They are designed to help type-2 diabetes patients maintain a healthy blood sugar level. They work by signaling the kidneys to remove excess sugar through urination, which is supposed to work well when combined with healthy diet and exercise.

Invokamet is one of the most popular SGLT2 inhibitors, but has been linked to a number of serious medical problems over the years. Most recently, it has been found that Invokamet side effects could increase the risk of diabetic lower leg amputation due to failing to prevent nerve damage. Diabetic nerve damage is most prevalent in the lower limbs, due to water retention and swelling that discourages movement. This creates a negative feedback system, in which the patient’s limbs become increasingly swollen and may eventually have to face amputation in their toes or up to their knee.

Invokana has also been linked to cases of ketoacidosis, a potentially deadly increase in blood acidity. Ketoacidosis is a condition more often seen in persons with type-1 diabetes, which is why it caused some confusion when it appeared among the type-2 patients who take Invokana.

Now Fournier’s gangrene joins the list of potential SGLT2 risks.

Considering that Fournier’s gangrene is potentially fatal, the FDA is telling manufacturing companies to add a warning about this condition to their medication guides and prescribing information. Along with Invokamet and Invokamet XR, other type-2 diabetes drugs have been linked to Fournier’s gangrene including Farxiga and Steglatro among others.

The FDA urged SGLT2 inhibitor patients to immediately seek medical help if they experience “tender redness, or swelling of the genitals or the area from the genitals back to the rectum and have a fever above 100.4 F or a general feeling of being unwell.”

Join a Free Diabetes Medications & Flesh-Eating Infection Lawsuit Investigation

The type-2 diabetes medications linked to the flesh-eating infection include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglato
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

If you or a loved one took one of the type-2 diabetes medications listed above and suffered from a flesh-eating genital infection, you may qualify to join this diabetes medication lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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