A Texas man has filed a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company Johnson & Johnson alleging that the diabetes medication Invokana is unreasonably dangerous.

In an effort to reduce his blood sugar and treat his type-2 diabetes, plaintiff Clifford H. agreed to initiate treatment with Invokana in November 2014.

Plaintiff Says Invokana is Unreasonably Dangerous

After beginning treatment with the diabetes medication, Clifford suffered a stroke, which leads him to contend that Invokana is unreasonably dangerous.

Clifford further alleges that the pharmaceutical companies knew or should have know the dangers associated with the use of Invokana, including the risk of developing strokes.

Cliffords claims he had relied on advertised claims that Invokana is a safe and effective treatment for type 2 diabetes, when, according to the lawsuit, the drug maker “recklessly and carelessly” sold Invokana without adequate instructions or warning of its serious side effects and unreasonably dangerous risks.

About Invokana

Invokana was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on March 29, 2013, for treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in May 2015, the FDA warned in a safety communication that this drug may put patients at risk for a serious health condition known as ketoacidosis.

When a drug that is already on the market poses a potential threat to patients, the FDA will review Adverse Event Reports and further investigate the drug. In the case of Invokana, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is investigating a link between the use of Invokana and the development of a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous state that can lead to hospitalization.

The FDA’s safety communication issued on May 15, 2015, instructed doctors to continue to monitor patients and to report all Adverse Events that may be linked to Invokana.

Invokana belongs to a class of diabetes drugs named sodium-glucose contransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Several other brand name SGLT2 inhibitor drugs were also identified by the FDA, including:

• Invokamet
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi

These diabetes medications all share similar active ingredients that may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones that may require hospitalization.

What is Ketoacidosis?

Ketoacidosis occurs when the cells do not receive the glucose needed by your body for energy and the body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. When ketones build up in the bloodstream, it becomes more acidic and can poison your body.

Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to serious health problems, including diabetic coma. Other complications include heart attack, blood clots, and kidney failure. In some situations, it can even lead to death.

Invokana Lawsuits

At this time, attorneys are investigating the possibility that Invokana is unreasonably dangerous and that the drug maker knew or should have known of the high risk of diabetic ketoacidosis associated with their diabetes treatment but failed to provide adequate warning in an effort to protect their own profits.

If you or a loved one suffered serious Invokana side effects or side effects from another SGLT2 inhibitor drug, you may be owed substantial compensation for medical expenses and other damages.

The Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-09570 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division.