Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims alleging Invokana medication complications.

One of the most recent claims was filed by a woman from Florida, alleging her husband suffered amputated toes and then died after taking the Invokana medication.

Plaintiff Camillo B. is filing this wrongful death claim on behalf of her husband Michael B., who was prescribed the Invokana medication for typical treatment purposes.

Like numerous other patients, Michael had been prescribed the Invokana medication to treat his type-2 diabetes but allegedly and experienced amputated toes and sadly died soon after beginning treatment.

Invokana (cangliflozin) is a popular type-2 diabetes treatment drug, which work by signaling the kidneys to expel excess sugar through urination. The Invokana medication is part of the SGLT2 inhibitor drug family, and is supposed to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise.

The Invokana medication is supposed to keep insulin and blood sugar levels at a balanced level, preventing the need for lower limb amputations and other adverse effects of type-2 diabetes.

With these benefits in mind, the lawsuit says that Michael had been prescribed the Invokana medication in March 2015 and had followed all prescription instructions. In addition,alleges the lawsuit, Michael followed the advice from his physician and had no reason to believe he was at risk for serious drug complications.

Overview of Invokana Lawsuit

According to the lawsuit, not long after starting his Invokana prescription, Michael developed a number of medical complications including kidney failure and diabetic ketoacidosis, which contributed to his death.

In addition, Michael allegedly had to experience amputated toes before his death allegedly due to the Invokana medication.

Type-2 diabetes causes a number of complications in patients, including nerve damage in the lower limbs. When the nerves die, patients are at risk for lower limb swelling and ulcer formation that may eventually require amputation. According to the Invokana lawsuit, Michael had to undergo several toe amputations including a partial amputation on the first toe on the left foot on April 29, 2015.

The Invokana lawsuit states that Michael had later developed respiratory failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, and cardiac arrest, causing his death on June 12, 2016. Camillo filed legal action soon after his death, alleging Johnson & Johnson failed to warn her husband against potential drug complications.

The FDA had previously warned that SGLT2 inhibitors could potentially cause the formation of diabetic ketoacidosis — a condition that occurs when the blood becomes too acidic. The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) had stated it had received 20 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis or ketosis from SGLT2 inhibitor patients, between March 2013 and June 2014.

The FDA later released a warning on May 16, 2017 stating that canagliflozin based drugs could increase the risk of lower limb amputations. Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the public.

Camillo says that her husband would not have agreed to take the Invokana medication, if he had known about the potentially fatal drug complications and the risk of amputated toes.

Camillo’s Invokana lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

The Invokana Medication Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-09147-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.