A lawsuit alleges the makers of Invokana engaged in negligent and wrongful conduct in connection with the manufacture and sale of their popular diabetes drug.

Plaintiff Sostena M. is a 67 year-old woman who began taking Invokana in May 2014. The following January, Sostena suffered a heart attack caused by Invokana, the claim asserts.

Invokana (canagliflozin) is a member of a class of pharmaceuticals known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors used to treat diabetes.

Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors are designed to inhibit the kidney from re-absorbing glucose. Instead of reabsorbing the glucose, it is excreted in the urine, which overall lowers the blood glucose.

According to the lawsuit, several alternative treatments are available to patients, and the makers of Invokana knew of the risks associated with their drug, yet failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community of such risks.

“To the contrary, Defendants conducted nationwide sales and marketing campaigns to promote the sale of Invokana and willfully deceived Plaintiff, her healthcare professionals, the medical community, and the general public as to the health risks and consequences of the use of Invokana,” the Invokana lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also states that had Sostena known about the severe side effects associated with Invokana, she would have opted not drug and would not have undergone the complications she has dealt with.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ negligence, wrongful conduct, and unreasonably dangerous and defective characteristics of Invokana, Plaintiff suffered severe and permanent physical and emotional injuries. Plaintiff has endured pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and economic loss, including significant expenses for medical care and treatment which will continue in the future,” the lawsuit states.

Kidney Damage, Stroke, Heart Attack Caused by Invokana

A number of serious conditions have been linked with the use of Invokana. These side effects are not limited to heart attack caused by Invokana, and include kidney damage and stroke as well.

“As a result of the defective nature of Invokana, persons who were prescribed and ingested Invokana, including Plaintiff, have suffered and may continue to suffer severe and permanent personal injuries, including diabetic ketoacidosis, stroke, heart attack, and severe kidney damage,” the lawsuit states.

Allegations in Heart Attack Caused by Invokana Lawsuit

Sostena has brought forth a number of allegations against the manufacturers of Invokana including negligence, products liability, breach of express and implied warranties, fraud and deceit, violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, failure to warn, and manufacturing defect.

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages related to pain and suffering, healthcare costs, and medical monitoring, punitive and/or exemplary damages “for the wanton, willful, fraudulent, reckless acts of the Defendants who demonstrated a complete disregard and reckless indifference for the safety and welfare of the general public and to the Plaintiff in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants and deter future similar conduct,” attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief provided by the Court.

The Heart Attack Caused by Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cV-00121, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division.