A Texas resident recently filed an Invokana lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging the medication caused diabetic ketoacidosis.

According to her Invokana lawsuit, the plaintiff, Barbara C., began taking Invokana for the treatment of diabetes in January 2015 at the direction of her doctor.

Invokana was meant to reduce the plaintiff’s blood sugar levels to treat her diabetes. This decision was made jointly by the plaintiff and her doctor based on the belief that Janssen Pharmaceuticals reliably claimed the drug was a safe and effective treatment for diabetes.

But as a direct result of taking Invokana, Barbara suffered from diabetic ketoacidosis, the Invokana lawsuit claims.

According to Barbara’s Invokana lawsuit, had the plaintiff been adequately warned about the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis linked with Invokana, the plaintiff would have chosen a safer alternative and avoided the risk altogether.

Her Invokana lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including manufacturing defect, defective design, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranties, negligence, fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and fraud.

Background of Invokana

Invokana (or canagliflozin, its generic name) was first introduced to the drug market in 2013 and is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Janssen is a prominent subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

Invokana is one of several major diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitor drugs make up a fairly new class of diabetes drugs, but have grown in popularity rapidly since their release.

One reason for the dramatic rise in popularity of diabetes drugs like Invokana are the aggressive marketing tactics employed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

According to lawsuits, Janssen Pharmaceuticals actively minimized risks and overplayed the drug as safe and effective, despite known reports of severe Invokana injuries.

Invokana Side Effects

Since Invokana’s introduction to the market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received a growing number of adverse event reports regarding the drug, and has required Janssen to add a series of warnings to the Invokana warning label about Invokana side effects.

The warning urged users to be aware of diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, respiratory problems, and vomiting.

Major side effects linked with Invokana in a growing number of lawsuits include the following:

• Dehydration
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Yeast infection of the penis
• Low blood sugar
• Serious allergic reaction
• Kidney problems, including kidney failure

Filing an Invokana Lawsuit

A growing number of injured plaintiffs like Barbara C. are choosing to file an Invokana lawsuit against Janssen, alleging that the company failed to warn of the defective design and manufacture of its medication, putting patients at risk of severe injuries such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to severe Invokana injuries like diabetic ketoacidosis, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

While filing an Invokana lawsuit cannot reverse the side effects, including more severe Invokana injuries, pursuing an Invokana lawsuit could result in financial compensation that would help with medical expenses and lost wages.

The Invokana Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-09566, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division.