Invokana

What is Invokana?

Invokana is also known as canagliflozin and is an oral medication that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by helping the kidneys purge glucose from the bloodstream through the urine and is often prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug is made by leading manufacturers such as AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Invokana Side Effects

Common and mostly harmless side effects that can occur with Invokana are having to urinate frequently, dry mouth, dizziness (especially when standing up), and lightheadedness. Taking this medication can also lead to yeast infections in the men or women. Patients with previous yeast infections are more likely to suffer this side effects, as well as uncircumcised men. Those who experience a yeast infection after taking the medication should consult a doctor right away.

Complications from Invokana

Patients who are already suffering from some form of kidney disease or who are undergoing dialysis can suffer serious complications from taking Invokana. A few of the complications resulting from patients taking the drug include kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and a range of other major health problems.

Severe Invokana Side Effects

Lawsuits allege the manufacturers failed to properly warn doctors and their patients of the elevated risks associated with the drug so they could make an informed decision. The allegations state that if the manufacturers and their marketers had properly warned the public of the risks, patients could have been prescribed a different yet equally effective medication or would have more closely monitored their own health. Some of the worst side effects from Invokana include:

  1. Kidney failure – Invokana is alleged to put enough stress on the kidneys to cause them to fail, which is an extreme tragedy given that many patients who take the drug have normal, functioning kidneys. There is no cure for kidney failure, and patients must go on dialysis and await an organ transfer
  1. Ketoacidosis – This a medical condition where high levels of ketones are produced and can lead to a patient lapsing into a diabetic coma, which is what the drug is supposed to prevent. Ketoacidosis can also result in extended hospitalization and even death. The condition develops when the body does not produce enough insulin. Without enough, the body breaks down fat and produces a buildup of toxic acids in the bloodstream.
  1. Heart attack – The drug has also been linked to causing blockage in the arteries leading to a condition called “cardiac ischemia,” or heart attack, which can be fatal.
  2. Amputations – Recent studies have found that Invokana increases the risk of amputations and several agencies like the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have recommended against prescribing Invokana for some patients.