A popular type-2 diabetes medication class that includes Xigduo XR has been recently linked with a rare flesh eating skin infection, which primarily affects patients’ genital area.

Also known as Fournier’s gangrene, some patients who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitor medications have already developed this potentially bacterial skin infection.

The FDA recently issued a warning regarding the correlation in August 2018, stating SGLT2 inhibitors have been linked to Fournier’s gangrene (necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum). The agency stated this flesh eating skin infection is rare but serious, with some patients already having gone through hospitalization and one serious case that resulted in death.

According to the FDA, approximately a dozen patients had reported cases of Fournier’s gangrene shortly after starting their SGLT2 inhibitor prescription.

Between March 2014 and May 2018, seven men and five women reportedly underwent hospital treatment and reconstructive surgery, with one patient dying from the infection. However, the FDA stated that more cases may be discovered as this investigation continues.

The FDA is currently requiring SGLT2 inhibitor manufacturers to mention reports of Fournier’s gangrene to the drugs’ prescription information. Along with Xigduo XR, SGLT2 inhibitors associated with an increased risk of Fournier’s gangrene include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglatro
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

The FDA is currently advising SGLT2 inhibitor patients to be vigilant for any unusual symptoms, including redness or swelling in the genital area around the rectum and to seek medical attention immediately. Patients should also be vigilant against fever and other signs of infection.

Overview of SGLT2 Inhibitors and Fournier’s Gangrene

SGLT2 inhibitors help control high blood sugar levels by signaling the kidneys to expel excess sugar through urination, which have become very popular since the first drug in its class was released in 2013. In fact, Bloomberg reported the drugs should generate up to $7 billion for manufacturers by 2020.

Xigduo XR is one of these medications, which is supposed to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise. By helping control high blood sugar, SGLT2 inhibitors are supposed to help prevent serious diabetic complications such as kidney damage, nerve problems, and limb amputation. Xigduo, however, has been linked to renal failure, ketoacidosis and now Fournier’s gangrene.

Even though these medications are very popular among patients, their recent association with Fournier’s gangrene is very troubling. This flesh eating skin infection occurs when bacteria enters the body through a cut or other opening, with the bacterium gathering around the perineum. This infection can be potentially fatal without treatment, so patients should seek medical help as soon as possible.

While the definitive cause for why SGLT2 inhibitors may be causing Fournier’s gangrene is unknown, it is believed that the treatment mechanism is making the genital area become attractive to bacteria because they feed off of sugar. Since excess sugar is being expelled through urination, bacteria are more likely to gather in that particular area.

It is important to note that while Fournier’s gangrene is already a risk for type-2 diabetes patients, there were only six cases reported in the last 30 years in conjunction with other treatment medications.

Join a Free Diabetes Medications & Flesh-Eating Infection Lawsuit Investigation

The type-2 diabetes medications linked to the flesh-eating infection include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglato
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

If you or a loved one took one of the type-2 diabetes medications listed above and suffered from a flesh-eating genital infection, you may qualify to join this diabetes medication lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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