Invokana (Canagliflozin) is a popular type-2 diabetes medication, which has been linked to over 50 reports of renal impairment and kidney failure.

Recently, Invokana kidney problems have become a concern to patient population and medical community as the number of incidents continue to rise.

Approved by the FDA in March 2013 and manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, Invokana soon proved to be a popular choice for type-2 diabetes patients due to its unique treatment mechanism.

Invokana is a part of the sodium-glucose contransporter-2 (SGLT2) drug family, which works by preventing the body’s blood sugar levels from getting too high.

The medications prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose, and then expels the excess sugar through urination.

Even though SGLT2 inhibitors have helped numerous patients, this treatment mechanism has been hypothesized to be the trigger to potential Invokana kidney problems.

Due to the fact that these medications directly work with the kidneys, the potential renal toxicity or damage is a distinct possibility for patients.

The risk is especially prevalent to patients with pre-existing kidney problems, or for those who have already sustained kidney deterioration from type-2 diabetes.

Invokana kidney problems have come to public attention after recent FDA warnings and research inquiries.

Overview of Invokana Kidney Problems

The most recent warnings regarding Invokana kidney problems was announced in June 2016, when the FDA warned against Invokana acute kidney injury.

The agency had received 101 confirmed cases of Invokana acute kidney injury from March 2013, when the drug was first approved, until October 2015.

Previously, on Dec. 04, 2015, the FDA issued a public safety announcement regarding new warnings to be added to the Invokana warning label.

According to the FDA, the agency had received 19 reports of life-threatening injuries including kidney problems had occurred in SGLT2 inhibitors between March 2013 and October 2014.

Each of these patients had required hospitalization, and required dialysis to treat kidney failure.

The FDA had started observing Invokana kidney problems, after receiving a QuarterWarch report in May 2015 from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

The report had found over 457 serious Invokana injury reports during its first 12 months on the market, including 54 reports of renal impairment or kidney failure.

As part of the FDA’s safety warning, the FDA is requiring SGLT2 inhibitor manufacturers to add warnings of kidney problems to the drugs’ warning labels.

The manufacturers are also being required to conduct post market research regarding the increased risk of kidney problems and other serious problems associated with SGLT2 inhibitors.

Patients who may have suffered Invokana kidney problems, may be able to file legal action against Johnson & Johnson. Potential claimants may be able to file an Invokana lawsuit, and should contact a specialized lawyer to determine eligibility.