The Federal Food and Drug Administration is warning that a class of diabetes medications that includes the popular drug Invokana can lead to a serious condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

The class of medications, know as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, treats low blood sugar in adults with Type-2 diabetes. The condition, which is characterized by excessive acid levels in the blood, can result in severe complications.

How Invokana Works

Type-2 diabetes is a disorder in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels cause sufferers to experience symptoms that include fatigue, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, increased risk of infection and difficulty healing from wounds.

Invokana was designed to lower blood sugar by making the kidneys eliminate excess glucose from the blood stream. They do this by passing the excess glucose through the urine.

The FDA approved Invokana in 2013, making it one of the first SGLT2 oral diabetes medications to reach the market. Reports of complications began surfacing shortly thereafter, and the number of patients coming forward with reports of serious Invokana side effects is continuing to rise.

Complications Associated with Invokana Side Effects

Researchers now believe Invokana may be linked to the development of a condition called ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body produces too many acids, such as ketones, in the blood system. It can result in a diabetic comatose state and severe damage to vital organs if left untreated.

Ketoacidosis symptoms include:

• Trouble breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Unusual fatigue or sleepiness
• Dry or flushed skin

In addition to ketoacidosis, Invokana and SGLT2 drugs have also been linked to:

• Breast and bladder cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Yeast infections
• Bone fractures

FDA Issues Invokana Ketoacidosis Warning

In May of 2015, the FDA released its first warning that Invokana may be linked to an increased risk of ketoacidosis. The FDA issued the warning after receiving numerous reports in which Invokana users developed ketoacidosis and suffered injuries including diabetic coma and death.

The agency launched a deeper investigation into the matter after the first warning, and released another safety communication in December 2015.

The December 2015 communication required SGLT2 drugs to carry a warning about two specific conditions: diabetic ketoacidosis and urinary tract infections.

Invokana Lawsuit Information

Individuals around the country who believe that Invokana caused their ketoacidosis are taking legal action against the drug’s manufacturers. If you suffered from ketoacidosis side effects after taking Invokana, you may be eligible to file an Invokana lawsuit as well.