Invokana is a relatively newer oral diabetes drug that belongs to a class of medications known as SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Diabetes drugs in this class are designed to affect an enzyme called sodium glucose cotransporter-2. The SGLT-2 enzyme works in the body by re-absorbing glucose into the proximal renal tubule located in the kidneys.

When these SGLT-2 inhibitor diabetes drugs block this enzyme’s action, the glucose is not reabsorbed into the body, but rather is excreted via the urine, thereby reducing blood levels of glucose.

These diabetes drugs appear to be effective in managing diabetes in affected individuals. However, the side effects associated with their use may in fact cause more problems than they are intended to solve.

Invokana Side Effects: Kidney Failure

Because Invokana uses the kidneys’ functioning to reduce blood sugar levels, it already has not been recommended for use in patients that were previously diagnosed with moderate to severe kidney problems.

As Invokana became more and more widely used, patients and physicians began seeing that patients using the drug were developing kidney problems. These problems seemed to be connected to Invokana.

Although the mechanism of action has not been distinctly outlined, researchers suggest that diabetes drugs like Invokana are putting too much strain on the kidneys, leading to problems that may eventually result in kidney failure.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Failure

A patient’s kidneys are said to be in kidney failure when the organs perform at less than 15% of their normal function. This happens as a result of extensive damage to the kidney where it can no longer perform its job of detoxifying the body.

Kidney failure is also referred to as End-Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD.

A number of systemic effects are common symptoms of kidney failure and include:

• Nausea
• Fluid retention leading to swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Chest pain or chest pressure
• Confusion
• Coma
• Extreme fatigue

These body-wide symptoms are seen in kidney failure because the body is no longer able to filter toxins through the kidney, so essentially the body becomes toxic. These symptoms are a result of that general body toxicity.

Related Invokana Side Effects

At the end of 2015, a warning was issued by the FDA saying that SLGT-2 inhibitors may cause the buildup of too much acid in the patient’s blood, a condition known as ketoacidosis.

The FDA also received reports of adverse effects in including urosepsis (life-threatening blood infections) and pyelonephritis (infections of the kidney). These conditions initially started as urinary tract infections, according to the FDA.

In its warning, the FDA also stated that of these 19 reported cases, all patients were hospitalized “and required admission to an intensive care unit or dialysis in order to treat kidney failure.”

Not only does Invokana potentially directly cause kidney failure, it can also potentially cause kidney failure as a result of other reported conditions.

Invokana Side Effects Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has taken Invokana or other SGLT-2 diabetes drugs and developed kidney failure or other severe side effects such as ketoacidosis, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the drug.

Lawyers are available to review your case for free and can help you determine if you are eligible to take further legal action.

Lawyers are available to review your case for free and can help you determine if you are eligible to take further legal action.