Johnson & Johnson is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of numerous product liability claims alleging problems caused by Invokana drug side effects. One of the most recent claims comes from a Texas man alleging Invokana drug side effects caused him serious and permanent injuries that will impact him for the rest of his life.

Plaintiff Michael S. was prescribed the type-2 diabetes medication Invokana for typical treatment purposes but soon after experienced Invokana drug side effects.

According to the Invokana lawsuit, Michael was prescribed the diabetes medication Invokana in September 2014 and took the drug according to prescription instructions.

Michael followed physician advice to maximize the benefits of the diabetes medication. The diabetes medication Invokana was supposed to help reduce Michael’s blood sugar levels and keep insulin at sufficient levels, but Michael alleges the medication instead caused adverse biological reactions.

According to the claim, the Invokana drug side effects caused Michael to develop diabetic ketoacidosis. Michael was diagnosed with this condition in December 2014 and had to undergo hospitalization and aggressive treatment since then.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially fatal condition that is described as a buildup of ketones, or blood acids, which occurs when the blood becomes too acidic. The blood becomes too acidic when there is more sugar in the body than insulin, which forces the body to metabolize fat instead of sugar.

This can cause severe and permanent kidney damage, with the worst cases requiring a kidney transplant or even resulting in death. Even though these Invokana drug side effects are potentially fatal, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn against it, according to plaintiffs like Michael.

At all times relevant Michael and his physician relied on the marketing materials presented by Johnson & Johnson and the diabetes medication Invokana warning label. Michael states he would not have agreed to take the type-2 diabetes treatment medication if he had known about the potential Invokana drug side effects.

Michael is filing his Invokana lawsuit in MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar Invokana drug side effects. By joining an MDL Michael’s claim will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges and will quickly progress through the litigation system.

Overview of Invokana Drug Side Effects

The type-2 diabetes medication Invokana is a part of the SGLT2 inhibitor drug family.  These drugs work by signaling the kidneys to expel excess sugar through urination. This helps keep blood sugar under control and should ultimately prevent the onset of severe diabetic symptoms like the need for lower limb amputation.

Some recent injury reports have suggested Invokana may cause adverse biological reactions, with some reports suggesting the drug’s treatment mechanism causes problems for the kidneys.

The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) received 20 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis or ketosis in SGLT2 inhibitor patients between March 2013 and June 6, 2014. Each of these patients’ required hospitalization or emergency room visits to treat their Invokana drug side effects.

The FDA later released an official warning about the drug in May 2015. The FDA stated that SGLT2 inhibitor patients should be wary of any unusual symptoms including:

• Breathing Difficulty
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Severe Fatigue

This Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01725-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.