The medications Invokana and Invokamet XR have unfortunately been linked with some severe side effects, including the potential for lower limb amputation.

Several new lawsuits have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals on behalf of patients who have suffered from lower limb amputation, allegedly caused by taking Invokana and Invokamet XR.

Basics of Invokana and Invokamet XR

Invokana (also known by its generic name, canagliflozin) is a fairly new medication from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013 as a diabetes treatment. Janssen is a prominent subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

Invokana belongs to a group of several diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana and Invokamet XR are becoming increasingly popular.

Despite the widespread use of newer diabetes drugs like Invokana and Invokamet XR, these popular drugs have been linked with some serious side effects.

These new lawsuits allege that the use of Invokana and Invokamet XR, along with other SGLT2 inhibitors, can cause an increased risk of lower limb amputation, causing patients to lose toes, feet and legs.

The FDA has received adverse event reports regarding Invokana side effects, including lower limb amputation. Recently, the agency required that Janssen address this risk with a series of warnings on the labels of Invokana and Invokamet XR.

It’s not just the FDA reaching these conclusions about Invokana’s risks. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also warned patients about the increased risk of lower limb amputation for patients taking Invokana and Invokamet XR or other SGLT2 inhibitors.

According to two recent Invokana lawsuits, plaintiff Robert S. began treatment for diabetes with Invokana in January 2015. However, he was later required to undergo a left foot amputation in December 2015 and a left leg amputation in January 2016, at which point he stopped his Invokana use.

The other plaintiff suing is Michael W., who alleges that his use of Invokana beginning in April 2015 led to a right leg amputation in December 2015.

The lawsuits allege that Janssen and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, actively concealed their knowledge of the serious risk of lower limb amputation linked with Invokana, as well as other serious complications.

Invokana Side Effects

Invokana and other diabetes drugs have been connected with a number of dangerous complications, from lower limb amputation to heart attack to Invokana kidney damage.

The popular diabetes drug is associated with a number of Invokana side effects, including, but not limited to:

• Dehydration (dizziness, lightheadedness)
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Yeast infection of the penis
• Low blood sugar
• Serious allergic reaction
• Ketoacidosis
• Kidney damage
• Kidney failure
• Lower limb amputation

Filing a Lawsuit Over Invokana and Invokamet XR

Invokana and Invokamet XR lawsuits claim that the drugs’ manufacturers failed to adequately warn about side effects linked with these medications, including lower limb amputation and kidney damage.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to severe side effects of Invokana and Invokamet XR like lower limb amputation, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot reverse the side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, pursuing a lawsuit can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.