Invokana is one of the more popular type-2 diabetes medications, but more and more patients are coming forward with allegations of suffering from amputation because of the medication.

Some users of the drug have turned to litigation, claiming that the drug’s manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, failed to give adequate warning about the Invokana amputation risk patients face. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about the Invokana amputation risk as well.

If you or someone you love has suffered because of the Invokana amputation risk after taking the popular diabetes drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Background of Invokana

Invokana (also sold under its generic name, canagliflozin metformin) is a popular type-2 diabetes medication, which works by ridding the bloodstream of glucose and lowering glucose production, ultimately lowering blood sugar levels.

When Invokana was introduced to the market just five years ago, in 2013, patients were drawn to it for its ability to lower blood sugar and even cause weight loss.

Despite its widespread use, Invokana has been connected with a few severe side effects, some of which have prompted warnings from the FDA. In 2015, the FDA released a safety announcement regarding the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure. Recently, the FDA released another safety announcement regarding increased Invokana amputation risk that patients taking this drug may face.

Invokana Amputation Risk

Diabetes patients face a risk of amputation, as small injuries like blisters or cuts can become dangerous ulcers, eventually necessitating amputation. Fortunately, in the last two decades, the rate of lower limb amputations in diabetics has decreased by 50 percent. Unfortunately, the drug Invokana may actually increase a patient’s risk of amputation.

The FDA released a safety announcement in May 2017 updating its information about Invokana amputation risk. The safety warning read, in part: “Based on new data from two large clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that the type 2 diabetes medicine canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR) causes an increased risk of leg and foot amputations.”

Indeed, the two large clinical trials conducted found that leg and foot amputations occurred twice as often in patients taking canagliflozin drugs like Invokana compared to patients with a placebo.

The FDA described the changes it would make to warn patients about this Invokana amputation risk: “We are requiring new warnings, including our most prominent Boxed Warning, to be added to the canagliflozin drug labels to describe this risk.”

The FDA warning also noted that, despite the connection between Invokana and amputation, patients should not stop taking the drug without first consulting their doctor.

Lawsuits allege that the manufacturer either knew or should have known about the increased Invokana amputation risk, but failed to give adequate warning to the public and the medical community about these problems.

If you or someone you love has suffered from serious side effects after taking Invokana or a similar canagliflozin drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Though filing a lawsuit cannot take away a patient’s pain and suffering, it may help to alleviate the financial burden incurred through medical bills and lost wages.