Invokana (canagliflozin) is a drug that can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, with some individuals having their diabetic conditions compounded by the additional complication of this side effect.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, also called ketosis or DKA, occurs when high levels of ketones are are produced after the body is unable to absorb energy from glucose.

Ketones are toxins that are formed from the byproducts of metabolizing fat, which causes the blood to become acidic.

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when the body becomes unable to transport glucose from cells and instead breaks down fat as an energy source due to the lack of insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a deadly condition often associated with type-1 diabetes, due to patients being unable to produce insulin.

If not treated quickly, the condition can be fatal and could result in kidney failure. Even though Invokana and other medications in its drug class are meant to ease the symptoms of diabetic patients, a number of patients have reportedly developed diabetic ketoacidosis.

This eventually prompted the FDA to release a public warning regarding diabetic ketoacidosis being linked to side effects of Invokana and other similar medications.

Overview of FDA Warning

The information about diabetic ketoacidosis was released in May 2015, when the FDA issued a public warning regarding Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors.

The warning stated this medication group has been linked to an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, after the agency collected over 20 reports from patients who developed this condition between March 2013 and April 2014.

In all the reported cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, the condition was diagnosed by a medical professional and each patient required some period of hospitalization.

According to the agency, the average amount of time it took for the diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms to show was two weeks after starting the medications.

Furthermore, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System has received reports indicating SGLT2 inhibitor induced ketoacidosis since June 2014. Other medications indicated in this warning included Jardiance (empagloflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin), as well as other SGLT2 inhibitors.

The agency went on further to say that diabetic ketoacidosis could lead to death or hospitalization, so patients should look out for any unusual symptoms including: breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitor medications work by preventing glucose from being reabsorbed into the kidneys, by signaling the kidneys to expel the excess sugar though urination.

Invokana was the first medication of its kind, and has been prescribed to millions of patients after its approval by the FDA in 2013.  Invokana and SGLT2 inhibitors have been prescribed to numerous patients following the FDA warning, and the reports of diabetic ketoacidosis continue to be filed.

Invokana patients who suffered diabetic ketoacidosis may be able to file legal action against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, for failure to warn of the potentially serious side effects associated with the drug.

Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer to determine their eligibility for an Invokana diabetic ketoacidosis lawsuit.