The number of lawsuits linking the side effects to Invokana to heart attacks, as well as ketoacidosis and kidney failure, continues to grow as more cases are filed nationwide.
In a complaint (PDF) filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on September 9, Crystal Ervin became one of the latest to indicate that she suffered severe kidney damage, diabetic ketoacidosis, a stroke and heart attack caused by Invokana.
The complaint was brought against Johnson & Johnson, it’s Janssen subsidiary, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp., alleging that the drug makers failed to adequately warn users and the medical community about the serious health risks associated with the new generation diabetes drug.
Invokana (canagliflozin) is was introduced in March 2013, and has been aggressively marketed as a new type of diabetes drug, which works in a unique way. However, as more individuals have been switched to the new drug, a steady stream of serious health risks have been uncovered, resulting in dozens of Invokana lawsuits alleging that the drug makers sold an unreasonably dangerous and defective product.
Ervin, of South Carolina, began taking Invokana in March 2014, and used the diabetes treatment until October 2014. The lawsuit indicates that her injuries were directly caused by Invokana.
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed in recent months alleging that inadequate warnings were provided about the risks associated with Invokana. While most of the claims have involved individuals who experienced diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney damage, a growing number of recent complaints have indicated individuals also suffered Invokana heart attacks.
Invokana was the first member of a new class of diabetes drugs introduced in recent years, known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which work in a unique way from other diabetes treatments. Other members of this class include Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance and Glyxambi.
Amid aggressive marketing and promotion by the drug makers, Invokana quickly became a popular and widely used medication. However, as more and more individuals began to use the drug, the FDA has required the drug maker to add a number of new warnings.
In addition to concerns about ketacidosis, a number of lawsuits filed against the drug maker alleging that the drug makers knew or should have suspected that Invokana increases the risk of kidney failure.
In June, the FDA released a new Invokana safety warning, indicating that the medication may increase the risk of acute kidney injury and other severe health problems.
As Invokana injury lawyers continue to review and file claims for individuals nationwide, it is widely expected that hundreds, if not thousands, of additional lawsuits may be filed in the coming months and years. Similar Invokamet lawsuits, Farxiga lawsuits, Xigduo lawsuits, Jardiance lawsuits and Glyxambi lawsuits are also being reviewed against the makers of these other SGLT2 inhibitors, which have been linked to similar health risks.