Invokana from Johnson & Johnson is used to maintain lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Known generically as canagliflozin, Invokana causes the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine rather than have it be reabsorbed into the blood.

However, when the body’s cells don’t receive the glucose they need for energy, the body begins to burn fat for energy, a process that produces ketones.

These ketones break down the fat to turn it into energy. When the ketones build up in the blood, the resulting ketoacidosis can make a person sick.

Invokana also is available as a combination drug, paired with the diabetes medication metformin and marketed as brand name Invokamet.

Metformin is also used to regulate blood sugar, but has been linked to a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acid is a byproduct of the body’s metabolism. It builds up in muscles and blood during strenuous exercise.

Both lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis can be fatal.

Invokana Side Effects

There are many Invokana side effects. One of the most important things to look out for is dehydration. The loss of body water and salt can cause a person to feel dizzy, lightheaded or weak, especially upon standing up.

Both women and men can be more prone to genital yeast infections while on Invokana as well. Symptoms include itching and a foul-smelling discharge from the affected areas.

The most dangerous Invokana side effects, however, is its impact on the kidneys. Because Invokana is intended to work through the kidneys, it’s not a surprise that the kidneys can be negatively affected.

Even the medication’s own warnings state “renal function abnormalities can occur after initiation.”

Patients are at heightened danger of kidney failure when ketoacidosis sets in. This condition means the body has produced an abnormally high level of blood acids, which can lead to brain swelling and kidney failure.

Early symptoms include the following:

• Thirst or a very dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels
• High levels of ketones in the urine

Then, other symptoms appear:

• Constantly feeling tired
• Dry or flushed skin
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Fruity odor on breath
• A hard time paying attention, or confusion

Drug Class Approved in 2013

Invokana was FDA-approved in 2013 to help maintain blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. It was the first in a new class of medications called SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs eliminate excess glucose by sending it through the kidneys and out through urine instead of allowing the glucose back into the bloodstream.

The FDA ordered all manufacturers of SGLT2 inhibitors to include warning labels about the risk of ketoacidosis in December 2015. At that time, the drugs were also made to add warnings regarding an increased risk of urinary tract infections as well.

Ketoacidosis is normally rare in people with type 2 diabetes compared to those with type 1 diabetes. Usually, hospitalization is required for ketoacidosis treatment.

If you or a loved one has taken Invokana and suffered acute kidney problems, ketoacidosis or urinary tract infections, you could be eligible for compensation.