A lawsuit was filed by a plaintiff against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, parent company Johnson & Johnson and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. by a woman who alleged her kidney failure was caused by Invokana.

Plaintiff Deborah F., an Ohio resident, states in her lawsuit that she began taking Invokana to treat her type-two diabetes in February 2014 and continued taking it until May 2015.

At that time, she claims, she developed kidney failure caused by Invokana.

“After beginning treatment with Invokana, and as a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ actions and inaction, Plaintiff developed diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure. Plaintiff’s ingestion of the defective and unreasonably dangerous drug Invokana has caused and will continue to cause injury and damage to Plaintiff,” her lawsuit reads.

Deborah has brought forth several counts against the manufacturers of Invokana including manufacturing defect, defective design, failure to warn, breach of express warranty, negligence, breach of implied warranty, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, fraud and punitive damages.

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages, medical expenses and other economic damages, damages for pain and suffering, non–economic damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief deemed proper by the Court.

Kidney Failure Caused by Invokana

Invokana is part of the newer class of drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs work by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption into the body. It enables the body to secrete glucose into the urine, thereby reducing glucose in the blood.

It is theorized that because Invokana directly affects the action of the kidneys, problems with kidney function, including kidney failure, can result.

It is probable that kidney failure caused by Invokana is a result of too much strain placed on the kidneys of some patients of the drug.

In fact, the manufacturer has noted that patients with previously diagnosed moderate to severe kidney damage should not use the medication.

Kidney failure is diagnosed when a patient’s kidneys perform at less than 15% of their typical level of functioning.

Kidney failure is a serious condition because the body loses its ability to filter toxins through the kidney and in turn, the body can become toxic as a result.

Earlier this year, the FDA issued a safety communication to strengthen its warnings about Invokana kidney problems that may result from the use of the drug.

While the communication did not specifically address kidney failure caused by Invokana, it did refer to “acute kidney injury” that can result from Invokana use.

The safety communication states “This is a serious condition in which the kidneys suddenly stop working, causing dangerous levels of wastes to build up in the body. Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury may include decreased urine or swelling in the legs or feet.”

Filing a Lawsuit over Kidney Failure Caused by Invokana

If you believe you suffered from kidney injury or failure caused by Invokana, you may be eligible to take legal action against the manufacturers as a result of the personal harm you have sustained.

An Invokana attorney can review your case for free and can help you decide if filing a lawsuit over kidney failure caused by Invokana is right for you.

The Invokana Kidney Failure Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-07520, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division.