Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing a growing multidistrict litigation from numerous patients alleging ketoacidosis from Invokana.

One of the most recent Invokana lawsuits comes from a North Carolina woman, who alleges she developed ketoacidosis from Invokana and that the company failed to warn her against potential drug complications.

Plaintiff Tammy B. filed this Invokana lawsuit, alleging she developed ketoacidosis from Invokana. She was prescribed the medication to treat her type-2 diabetes by helping her manage her blood sugar levels.

With diet and exercise, Invokana was supposed to help Tammy live a normal life that was minimally affected by type-2 diabetes. Tammy says she had been prescribed Invokana in July 2014, and had only used the medication according to physician instructions and did not deviate from its intended use.

Tammy had stayed on the medication until January 2015, which was around the same time she was diagnosed with ketoacidosis. Tammy alleges her condition was directly caused by the type-2 diabetes medication, and that Johnson & Johnson either knew or should have known about the potential complication.

Tammy filed legal action soon after her diagnosis, after discovering other patients may have also developed ketoacidosis from Invokana.

Overview of Invokana Ketoacidosis Correlation

Invokana was approved by the FDA in March 2013 for use as a type-2 diabetes treatment drug. This medication is a part of the sodium-glucose contransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor drug family, which work by preventing the body’s blood sugar levels from getting too high. SGLT2 inhibitors work by preventing the body from reabsorbing glucose, and expelling excess sugar through urination.

The drugs do this by signaling the kidneys, which has reportedly worked well for many patients. However, this treatment mechanism has been allegedly causing serious complications in patients, including ketoacidosis from Invokana. The FDA had issued a public warning on May 15, 2015, warning patients that these medications could potentially induce ketoacidosis.

This warning came after the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) had received 20 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, ketoacidosis, or ketosis injury reports from patients who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors between March 2013 and June 6, 2014. Each of these patients required hospitalization or emergency room visits to treat their conditions, with the FDA continuing to receive injury reports regarding potential ketoacidosis from Invokana.

Ketoacidosis occurs when the body is forced to metabolize fat instead of sugar. Metabolizing fat produces substances called ketones, which build up in the blood and may increase blood acidity to a dangerous level.

Even though this complication is potentially deadly, plaintiffs claim, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to disclose this information.

Tammy says she agreed to use Invokana after discussing the option with her physician and reviewing the company’s marketing materials. She states she never would have used the medication if she had known about potential ketoacidosis from Invokana risks.

Tammy is filing this Invokana lawsuit in MDL No. 2750, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Tammy’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid issues like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-07293-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.