A North Carolina woman recently filed a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging serious and life-threatening Invokana renal injury.

The plaintiff, Shirley T., began taking Invokana according to a prescription by her doctor in July 2015. However, just ten days after she started taking the medication, Shirley allegedly suffered from a serious Invokana renal injury that led to her hospitalization.

She experienced a number of symptoms, including blurry vision, abdominal pain, dehydration, hypertension, acute kidney injury, hypercalcemia, and leukocytosis. Shirley was discharged two days later and eventually filed a lawsuit against Janssen over her physical complications as well as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. The Invokana renal injury lawsuit also alleges that Shirley sustained significant economic loss from medical expenses and treatment.

According to the lawsuit, had Shirley been adequately warned of these risks, she would have chosen a safer alternative.

The Invokana lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including design defect, failure to warn, negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, and fraudulent misrepresentation. She also filed for punitive damages.

Background of Invokana

Invokana (also known by its generic name, canagliflozin) was first approved to treat diabetes in 2013 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Invokana is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a prominent subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, and belongs to a class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors. Invokana, as well as other SGLT2 inhibitors, work to inhibit certain kidney functions in order to affect the body’s production of glucose.

SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana have grown increasingly more widespread in recent years. Unfortunately, according to complaints, lawsuits, and even warnings from the FDA, patients may be at risk of number of serious kidney injuries caused by Invokana, including Invokana renal injury. After reports and studies linked Invokana with a number of serious side effects, including the risk of Invokana renal injury, the FDA required Janssen to add a warning of these risks to the Invokana label.

Filing a Lawsuit over Invokana Renal Injury

Invokana lawsuits claim that Janssen failed to adequately warn about complications like Invokana renal injury and, in some cases, claim that the company actively withheld information about Invokana renal injury and other risks from both the medical community and the general public.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to Invokana renal injury or another serious side effect, you may be able to file an Invokana lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by an Invokana renal injury, pursuing a lawsuit can result in financial compensation that would help with medical expenses and lost wages.

The Invokana Renal Injury Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-03518-BRM-LHG, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.