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:
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
In the United States, a tort refers to a, “body of rights, obligations, and remedies that is applied by courts in civil proceedings to provide relief for persons who have suffered harm from the wrongful acts of others.”
What is MDL?
An MDL stands for multidistrict litigation and is a special legal procedure conducted in federal court that is designed to quickly conduct the handling of complex cases, which can include dangerous drug and medical device lawsuits.
Product Defects
It means the manufacturer made an error either in the design or the fabrication of a product that causes it to not work as intended. This can be especially dangerous in many cases, such as those of faulty medical devices and prescription drugs.
Defective Design
A defective design in a product is one that is so great, the product cannot be utilized for the purposes intended or is even made hazardous as a result of the defect, imperfection, or design flaw. In the case of medical devices, this can be a deadly mistake.