Invokana or Canagliflozin was first approved for sale on March 2013 and has been prescribed over five million times to treat type-two diabetes in the United States. It is an oral medicine that helps control blood sugar levels by addicting the kidneys in ridding glucose from the bloodstream. The problem with Invokana is that it can dehydrate some patients, decrease blood volume, and cause poor circulation in the body.
This drug has now been tied to serious side effects that include:
- Bone fractures
- Amputations of the leg, foot, and toe
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Urosepsis
- Kidney failure
Several lawsuits have been filed against the maker of the drug, Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson company alleging that they failed to notify both physicians as well as patients of the harmful and potentially fatal risks associated with it.
Symptoms to look out for when taking the medication:
- Cold skin
- Chronic pain
- Skin becomes darker or black
- Ulcers
- Lack of healing
- Rapid spread of infection
FDA “Black Box” Warning
In May 2017, the FDA added a “Black Box” label to the medication in order to warn patients that when using the drug they are twice as likely to develop diabetic foot disease complications that could call for amputations. The Safety Announcement stated: “Amputations to the toe and middle of the foot were the most common, however, amputations involving the leg, below and above the knee also occurred. Some patients had more than one amputation, some involving both limbs.”
Contact Us
If you seem to be experiencing or have already experienced the complications above and want to proceed by seeking legal compensation for associated damages, please contact our office today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.