Invokana And Increased Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

In 2014, the Center for Disease Control estimated that 21.0 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 8.1 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

The two most common forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.

In type 1 diabetics

The body doesn’t produce insulin because the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that creates that insulin used to break sugar down into glucose. Individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day.

Type 2 diabetics

Do not produce nor use insulin well. This type of diabetes most often occurs in middle-aged and older individuals and is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetics manage their disease in a combination of ways – diet, exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and for some, with oral medication or insulin.

Invokana is a drug used in the treatment of diabetes. Taken in pill form, the drug works to help lower a patient’s blood sugar (A1C) in adults with Type 2 diabetes. A1C is a test that provides insight regarding the patient’s average levels of blood sugar for the previous 3 months. Common side effects are genital yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in urination.

However, the FDA has issued a warning that medications like Invokana can cause more serious side effects like diabetic ketoacidosis which occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur quickly and left untreated, can be fatal.

Recently, lawsuits have been filed claiming that Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) failed to adequately warn patients of the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

If you or someone you love has suffered serious complications after taking Invokana, you might be entitled to compensation. Please contact one of our experienced attorneys at 1-800-777-4081.