Invokana lowers blood sugar levels for diabetic patients, but it may also increase the risk of developing a kidney infection.

Invokana belongs to a class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These drugs lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, but they may also cause dangerous side effects, including kidney problems.

Invokana Kidney Infection & Injuries

Adverse event data has pointed to possible kidney infection and related renal injuries linked to Invokana and similar diabetes drugs. Symptoms of a kidney infection may include:

• Pain in the area at the side of your back where the kidney is located
• High temperature (fever) which may cause shivers
• Feeling sick (nausea) and/or being sick (vomiting)
• Diarrhea
• Blood in the urine
• Decreased urine
• Swelling in the feet or legs

There may also be symptoms similar to a bladder infection – for example, pain on passing urine and going to the toilet often. Not all of the symptoms may develop, and sometimes a kidney infection can just cause vague symptoms. For example, just feeling generally unwell but not being able to say why. In older people a kidney infection may cause confusion.

In addition to kidney infection, adverse renal functions associated with drugs like Invokana include:

• Kidney failure
• Kidney impairment
• Dehydration/fluid imbalances
• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract infections
• Abnormal weight loss

In June 2016, the FDA introduced new kidney warnings for SGLT2 inhibitors Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, and Xigduo XR, saying that the diabetes drugs were linked to adverse event reports of acute kidney injury that in some cases required hospitalization.

The warning was based on more than 100 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA. At the time, the agency noted that renal side effects are probably underreported and may be more common than their limited records indicate.

Other Invokana Concerns

In addition to concerns over kidney infection and injuries, researchers have expressed concern over Invokana clinical research showing unsafe increases in low blood pressure symptoms and cardiovascular problems.

During a 2013 Congressional testimony, Dr. Sydney Wolfe of Public Citizen, a prominent consumer watchdog group, argued that the possible risks of Invokana outweighed its potential benefits and said that the drug should not be approved.

Since that time, other safety groups—including the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)—have said that at the time of FDA approval, Invokana had not been sufficiently tested in clinical trials. The group questions whether Invokana’s benefits outweigh its risks.

Invokana and other SGLT2 drugs have also been linked to:

• Breast and bladder cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Yeast infections
• Bone fractures

Filing an Invokana Lawsuit

More than 100 lawsuits currently await trial against Invokana in federal and state courts. Plaintiffs argue that Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) misrepresented the risks of the medication and failed to warn patients about Invokana side effects.

If you or a loved one took Invokana and suffered a kidney infection or other serious side effect, you may be eligible to file an Invokana lawsuit and should contact an experienced Invokana attorney for a free, no-obligation case review.