Certain new prescription drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes are at the center of some serious safety questions, particularly regarding kidney failure causes.

Invokana was the first member of a new class of type-2 diabetes drugs, known as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Other members of this new class includes Invokamet, Farixga, Jardiance, Glyxambi and Xigduo

SGLT2 diabetes drugs work by impacting certain normal kidney functions, allowing more sugar to be passed from the body through urine.

In its first year on the market, Invokana was linked to over 50 reports of renal failure and kidney failure symptoms. As a result, questions are being raised about why the link between Invokana and kidney failure causeswere not anticipated by the drug maker and warned about before the medication was ever introduced.

In May 2015, an independent report by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) highlighted potential concerns about the potential link between Invokana and kidney failure causes.

The group reviewed adverse event reports submitted to the FDA during the first year Invokana was on the market and identified more than 457 incidents of serious problems. These included many that suggested signals of renal failure or toxicity, including:

• Kidney Failure
• Impaired Renal Functions
• Kidney Stones
• Dehydration
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Hypersensitivity

Kidney Failure Causes & Symptoms

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the abdomen that are responsible for filtering blood, removing wastes and toxins, and balancing fluid levels. Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys stop functioning without the use of dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Kidneys help filter waste products from the blood. They are also involved in helping to control blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and red blood cell production.

When your kidneys stop functioning properly, waste products, fluids, and electrolytes build up in the body and can cause weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy, confusion, abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death.

Acute kidney failure results in the kidneys being unable to properly filter waste from your blood. This can lead to a dangerous build-up of wastes in the blood, leading to health problems and even death.

Kidney failure symptoms can include:

• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Decreased Urine Output
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Seizures or Coma
• Shortness of Breath
• Swelling of Legs, Ankles and Feet

Damage to the kidneys may become permanent in some cases, requiring kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant. Untreated, or not caught in a timely manner, it can lead to death.

Other treatments, before kidney failure becomes permanent, can include medications aimed at controlling blood potassium levels, medication to restore calcium levels, and temporary hemodialysis treatments.

The ISMP report identified at least 54 cases of acute or unspecified renal failure or renal impairment with Invokana, which likely only represents a small fraction of the total number of kidney failure causes experienced by users of the Invokana, as most adverse events are never even reported to the FDA.

Kidney Failure Lawsuits

If you are currently taking Invokana, Invokamet, or another SGLT2 inhibitor (such as Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance or Glyxambia), you should pay close attention to any possible kidney failure symptoms.

Potential diabetes medication lawsuits over Invokana or Invokamet renal failure or kidney failure are being evaluated to determine whether individuals may be entitled to financial compensation or settlements as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately research the side effects of these new diabetes drugs or warn about the risk of severe and potentially life-threatening problems.