Another type-2 diabetes patient has filed a lawsuit against AstraZeneca, alleging the company’s diabetes drug led to Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis.

The California plaintiff, Betty B., began taking Farxiga to treat her type-2 diabetes at the direction of her doctor on March 11, 2015, and continued usage for several months. Unfortunately, just four months into her treatment with Farxiga, she alleges she suffered from Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis and dehydration, and was hospitalized. Betty was told to immediately discontinue her use of Farxiga.

According to the Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis lawsuit, the FDA issued a warning about the risks of drugs belonging to the SLGT2 inhibitor group, including Farxiga, noting the risk of Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis.

Later, the FDA reported that they had received 73 adverse events reports in a two-year span that include hospitalization from SGLT2 inhibitor diabetic ketoacidosis. Warning labels for Farxiga and other SGLT2 inhibitors now include a warning “about the risks of too much acid in the blood,” noting that patients should seek medical attention if they notice Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms.

The lawsuit alleges that Betty’s diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney damage is a direct result of ingesting Farxiga, and furthermore, her Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis was a known risk to the manufacturers.

Despite knowing of this risk, the lawsuit alleges, AstraZeneca failed to warn patients and the medical community, even going so far as to “minimize unfavorable findings.”

The Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including failure to warn, negligence, and willful and wanton conduct or gross negligence. The plaintiff’s husband, Scott B., also filed on one count of loss of consortium.

Background of Farxiga

Farxiga (also known by its generic name, dapagliflozin) is new kind of type-2 diabetes medication jointly manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2014.

Farxiga is one of a series of medications known as gliflozin drugs, sometimes known as sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

Farxiga and other SGLT2 inhibitors were approved to lower blood glucose in patients with type-2 diabetes, and for no other purpose. However, Farxiga is sometimes used for off label purposes like weight loss and blood pressure reduction. These off-label uses are actively marketed for by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Unfortunately, Farxiga and other drugs in its class have been linked with serious kidney problems, including Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that develops when a person’s body cannot get the sugar necessary for energy because of a lack of insulin. Given that ketoacidosis is already a risk for diabetes patients, the increased risk could be extreme.

Filing a Farxiga Diabetic Ketoacidosis Lawsuit

A growing number of patients are pursuing diabetes medication lawsuits after suffering from Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis and other kidney problems.

If you or someone you love has suffered from significant side effects of these drugs, including Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis, you may be able to file a diabetes medication side effects lawsuit.

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by Farxiga diabetic ketoacidosis, it can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

The Farxiga Diabetic Ketoacidosis Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-00857-LJO-JLT, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.