Invokana (canagliflozin) from Johnson & Johnson is an oral medication used to maintain lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Invokana was FDA-approved in 2013 as the first in a new class of medications called SGLT2 inhibitors.

These drugs work by eliminating excess glucose by sending it through the kidneys and out the urine instead of allowing the glucose back into the bloodstream.

When sugar is prevented from being reabsorbed into the blood, the result is lower blood sugar.

Invokana Drug Side Effects

Invokana can cause many side effects, including hypoglycemia, genital yeast infections, kidney failure, ketoacidosis and loss of bone density.

One of the most common Invokana drug side effects is hypoglycemia, known as low blood sugar.  Usually, hypoglycemia will become controlled as insulin intake is adjusted.

Both women and men can be more prone to genital yeast infections while on Invokana as well. When the sugar is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, that sugar can affect the natural flora of the genital area. Symptoms of a yeast infection include itching and a foul-smelling discharge from the affected areas.

Invokana, Kidney Failure and Ketoacidosis

Invokana drug side effects affect the kidneys because the medicine works through the kidneys, which must work harder. Invokana’s warnings explicitly state “renal function abnormalities can occur after initiation.”

Patients are at heightened danger of kidney failure when ketoacidosis sets in. Ketoacidosis means the body has produced an abnormally high level of blood acids, which can lead to brain swelling and kidney failure.

When the body’s cells don’t receive the glucose they need for energy, the body begins to burn fat for energy, a process that produces ketones. These ketones break down the fat to turn it into energy. When too many ketones build up in the blood, the resulting ketoacidosis can make a person very ill.

Early symptoms include the following:

• Thirst or a very dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels
• High levels of ketones in the urine

Then, other symptoms appear:

• Constantly feeling tired
• Dry or flushed skin
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Fruity odor on breath
• A hard time paying attention, or confusion

Because ketoacidosis is normally rare in people with type 2 diabetes compared to those with type 1 diabetes, this among all Invokana drug side effects, truly stands out. Hospitalization is required for ketoacidosis treatment.

Invokana and Loss of Bone Density

According to the FDA, fractures have occurred as soon as 12 weeks after starting Invokana. Trauma is usually minor, such as falling from a position of standing height. In addition, a two-year study proved a greater loss of bone mineral density in the hip and lower spine among patients taking Invokana compared with those taking a placebo.

If you or a loved one has taken Invokana and suffered from any of these side effects, you could be eligible for compensation.