Diabetes medications have become a crucial method for how patients diagnosed with this condition are able to treat their symptoms, but recent concerns over the Invokamet amputation risk means that patients should be mindful of the dangers they face.

Invokamet is a combination of metformin and canagliflozin. Canagliflozin is a prescription drug used with exercise and diet to decrease blood sugar in adults who have type-2 diabetes.

These medications lower blood sugar by causing the body’s kidneys to remove sugar from the patient through that patient’s urine. Two different clinical trials, however, indicated that patients taking these drugs face Invokamet amputation risk.

Researchers found that foot and leg amputations occurred about twice as frequently in patients who were treated with these SGLT2 inhibitors that when compared with patients who took a placebo. The most common amputations included the middle of the foot and toe. However, others including below and above the knee and the leg also occurred.

Some patients had to undergo more than one amputation and some of these involved both limbs.

Lower limb amputations are more common for patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes, but some patients might not know that their risks for amputation are much higher with certain drugs.

Data shows that patients taking these drugs are prescribed by their physicians for the treatment of type-2 diabetes have nearly twice the risk of leg and foot amputations. Many of these patients might not currently be aware of the Invokamet amputation risk.

Those patients who have already been classified as in a category highly likely to receive an amputation already are encouraged to report their concerns to their physician immediately, as another treatment option or medication might be more appropriate. The Invokamet amputation risk could mean that a patient has the risk of losing a foot, toe or other lower extremity.

The Food and Drug Administration has recently reviewed much of the research into Invokana amputation risk and now recommends that physicians should be aware of alternative treatment options. The agency is also now requiring new warnings directly as a result of the Invokamet amputation risk. This is known as a boxed warning.

Patients who are currently taking these medications are encouraged to notify their health care professionals if they begin to experience any of the symptoms or problems that could lead to amputation. Patients at risk for Invokamet amputation include those who have developed sores, ulcers, new tenderness or pain or infections in the feet and legs.

Diabetes medications are used to treat patients who are at risk of significant health problems due to type-2 diabetes. Without an appropriate treatment option, type-2 diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney damage, nerve damage and heart disease.

Patients concerned about the Invokamet amputation risk should consider consulting with their physician immediately. Certain patients will have a higher than normal Invokamet amputation risk and might consider alternative treatment options.