IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM TYPE 2 DIABETES, YOU PROBABLY EXPECT THAT THE MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU WILL BE BENEFICIAL; UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THESE DRUGS HAVE BEEN MAKING PATIENTS SICKER AND HAVE EVEN LED TO DEATH.
In May 2015, The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) warned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of adverse reactions linked to Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitor drugs that include Invokana, Invokamet, Jardiance, Xigduo XR, Glyxambi and Farxiga. Damages in patients who took these drugs since March 2013 include kidney failure, heart attacks or ketoacidosis.
As a result, The FDA has issued a warning about kidney problems and diabetic ketoacidosis, and Invokana lawsuits have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson for damaging side effects, including an increased risk of kidney problems and cardiovascular problems.
If you or a loved one has been injured from side effects of diabetes medications, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and other losses. Cliff Rieders, seasoned diabetes drug lawsuit attorney at Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Waters & Dohrmann, is a leader in the field and is known for settling cases efficiently and litigating cases with maximum compensation. Contact Cliff Rieders today to learn what your legal options are — the consultation is free.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitors are the newest class of type 2 diabetes medications. Invokana was approved first, despite the drug’s potential link to heart attack. Farxiga, which had its original application denied by the FDA due to concerns of the effect on the liver, was approved in 2014. Jardiance was then approved despite reports it caused test subjects to develop diabetic ketoacidosis. And the latest type 2 diabetes drug, Invokamet XR (canagliflozin and metformin) extended release, was also approved.
Patients like these drugs because they make it easier to manage the disease, but it has become increasingly obvious that if you suffer the side effects, the risks of taking these medications far outweigh the reward.
Some of the side effects are mild and include yeast and urinary tract infections, sun intolerance and skin rash.
Makers of SGLT2 inhibitors have been ordered by the FDA to conduct additional testing to determine the safety of their medications, especially the effect on the liver, heart, and bones, and whether there is an increased cancer risk. But one of the most serious and concerning issues to arise from SGLT2 inhibitors is the development of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is caused when the body is unable to use glucose for energy and uses stored fat instead. When this happens, something called ketones build up in the blood stream. Initial symptoms are mild, and patients often don’t realize there is a problem until the condition has become dangerous.
As the condition worsens, symptoms include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, unusual fatigue or sleepiness, and unconsciousness.
It is important to immediately contact your doctor and seek medical attention if any of these signs occur.
If no one recognizes the source of the problem, it can eventually lead to brain swelling and death.
By law, drug manufacturers are strictly liable for injuries if the product they sell is defective, unreasonably dangerous, has design flaws, or if they have not warned consumers of bad effects from the drugs. If you experience any side effects from SGLT2 drugs, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer.
There are an increasing number of lawsuits being filed against manufacturers of SGLT2 for marketing defective and dangerous drugs, misrepresenting and concealing known drug risks, failing to adequately warn the public of known drug risks, negligence, and illegal marketing of medications. The attorneys for plaintiffs claim that the manufacturers did not properly warn doctors and their patients of the risks involved with the drugs. Had they done so, doctors or patients might have chosen a different diabetes drug, or at least have done testing to monitor if patients were having serious side effects.
Since there have been so many similar lawsuits brought for these problems, many cases were recently consolidated in a multidistrict legislation case (MDL) in New Jersey federal court in December 2016. So far, litigation against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, involves 55 lawsuits — and that is only for Invokana and Invokamet.
Cliff Rieders is a Past President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, and is a Board Certified trial lawyer.
Rieders wrote the book on Medical Malpractice in Pennsylvania, and has been involved in numerous multi-district litigation cases. Many firms that accept these cases are national advertisers and are not in a position to give personal care and attention to each case. Further, you may be much more comfortable with a Pennsylvania attorney than somebody you will never see in another state. Call Cliff Rieders today if you have been harmed by a dangerous diabetes drug — 800-326-9259.
Dangerous drug cases are very complicated, so it is essential to have experienced attorneys and legal staff on your side. Whether in settlement negotiations or pursuing a favorable trial verdict, Pennsylvania personal injury attorney Cliff Rieders of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Waters & Dohrmann is familiar with the law regarding dangerous drugs and is thoroughly prepared and committed to achieving a just outcome. With the firm’s sizeable staff, we offer strength in numbers to do research and to pursue your interests in court, while providing top-notch personal service.
If you or your loved one has suffered injury from pharmaceuticals or any other type of medical malpractice, time is of the essence, so don’t delay. Contact Cliff Rieders, Pennsylania medical malpractice lawyer with the firm of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Waters & Dohrmann, by calling 800-326-9259 or by using our online contact form. Based in Williamsport, we serve clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania, offering a free consultation on all medical malpractice matters. We are dedicated to providing the legal support you need to have a successful case, and we offer you experience, knowledge, compassion, and a long history of results.