Invokana (generic form canagliflozin) is a medication used to treat type-2 diabetes. The drug is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

Invokana is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT-2 inhibitors. It was the first in its class of drugs to be approved by the FDA in 2013.

The drug has become very popular, but more recently, it has come under fire following an FDA warning that Invokana causes ketoacidosis in some patients.

How Does Invokana Work?

As an SGLT-2 inhibitor, the drug acts on a protein called the sodium-glucose-linked transporter 2 that is located in the duct system of the kidneys. These transporters work by reabsorb glucose back into the kidney in normal body functioning.

In a person with diabetes, the levels of glucose in the body are too high. A drug that works to inhibit the SGLT-2 protein thereby blocks glucose from being reabsorbed into the kidney.

Rather than being reabsorbed, the glucose is taken out of the body and is excreted in the urine, reducing the overall glucose concentration in the blood.

How Invokana Causes Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is a condition where the body’s level of ketones are abnormally high and can cause harm to the body.

The body produces ketones as a result of breaking down fat as a fuel source for energy when it is unable to use glucose in the cells.

Too many ketones in the body causes the blood to become too acidic, leading to the condition of ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis can develop rapidly and can quickly become life-threatening.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

• Having a hard time breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Extreme, unusual fatigue or sleepiness
• Confusion
• Breath that is “fruity”
• Feeling faint
• Increased thirst and urination

It is theorized that Invokana causes ketoacidosis because of the drug’s effect on glucose that is removed from the body. With little glucose available to use for energy, the body uses fat instead.

FDA Warns Of Possibility That Invokana Causes Ketoacidosis

In May 2015, the US FDA issued a warning saying that SGLT-2 inhibitors like Invokana may cause ketoacidosis and the condition may require patient hospitalization.

The warning went on to say that ketoacidosis is typically seen in patients with type-1 diabetes and is usually linked to high blood sugar levels. In the cases reported to the FDA, the blood sugar levels of patients were only slightly increased as compared to those who had typical cases of diabetic ketoacidosis in type-1 diabetes sufferers.

The FDA is still currently investigating the safety of Invokana and other SGLT-2 inhibitors and encourages patients and medical professionals to report any adverse effects surrounding ketoacidosis and Invokana use so that the the matter may be further studied.

Filing an Invokana Ketoacidosis Lawsuit

If Invokana causes ketoacidosis in you or a loved one, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer for failing to warn of the potentially serious side effect. An attorney can review your case at no charge and can help you decide if filing an Invokana lawsuit is right for you.