Johnson & Johnson is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of numerous product liability claims alleging similar Invokana side effects.

One of the most recent additions to the MDL comes from a man alleging serious Invokana side effects, claiming the medication caused him to develop metabolic ketoacidosis.

Plaintiff Larry W. had been prescribed Invokana in August 2015 to treat his type-2 diabetes. Larry had opted for Invokana, after he and his physician had reviewed the marketing materials provided by Johnson & Johnson.

Larry had used Invokana according to prescription instructions and physician’s advice, and had no reasons to expect any potential life altering injuries.

Even with his diligence, Larry still reportedly developed a number of severe Invokana side effects including renal failure, renal impairment, kidney injury, and metabolic ketoacidosis. Larry was officially diagnosed with acute kidney failure and metabolic acidosis on Dec. 3, 2015, and was hospitalized for his injuries.

Metabolic ketoacidosis and kidney failure was reportedly not present on the list of Invokana side effects, nor did Johnson & Johnson notify Larry or his physician. Larry filed this Invokana lawsuit soon after being diagnosed with his injuries, stating that he never would have opted for the medication if he had known the severity of Invokana side effects.

Overview of Invokana Side Effects

The FDA had approved Invokana (canagliflozin) in March 2013 to be a type-2 diabetes treatment options for the patient population. Invokana was the first SGLT2 inhibitor to be approved by the FDA, and has proven to be a lucrative product for manufacturing company Johnson & Johnson.

SGLT2 inhibitors are designed to help manage blood sugar, by preventing the body from reabsorbing glucose. This way an ideal level of glucose is processed in the body and insulin levels are balanced, which prevents diabetic attacks.

The extra glucose is excreted through urination, but is processed through the kidneys in result of the treatment mechanism. Not long after the medication was approved for market, reports of serious Invokana side effects were submitted to Johnson & Johnson and the FDA.

Metabolic acidosis and kidney failure has often been reported in conjunction with Invokana side effects, as this medication may negatively impact kidney function. The FDA eventually required a label change for Invokana side effects in June 2016, mandating J&J to include potential kidney failure.

In February 2017, the Invokana warning label was also changed to include detailed warnings against diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney injury. Even with these new conditions added to the Invokana side effects list, this has not prevented patients from allegedly developing intense kidney problems.

Across the country, thousands of patients have filed product liability claims against Johnson & Johnson complaining of serious Invokana side effects. These Invokana lawsuits were eventually consolidated into MDL No. 2750, to streamline the litigation process and to help prevent conflicting rulings from different judges.

Similar to Larry, many of these patients state that they never would have opted for the medication if they had known the potential Invokana side effects.

This Invokana Lawsuit is Larry W. v. Johnson & Johnson, Case No. 3:17-cv-04303-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.