Patients who take the diabetes drug canagliflozin, better known as Invokana, report serious health concerns they believe stem from this medication. These issues include kidney damage, kidney failure, ketoacidosis, and a significant increase in the number of necessary leg and foot amputations. Many of these patients are pursuing claims against drug’s manufacturer to recover compensation to pay for necessary medical care and other costs.
If you took Invokana—or another medication containing canagliflozin—and you experienced serious health concerns, you may be eligible to pursue a claim against the drug maker. If you have a viable case, you can recover compensation to pay your medical bills, cover lost wages, and pay out for pain and suffering. At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, our legal team is standing by to take your call. In our free case review, we will help you understand the strength of your case and offer insights about the Invokana multidistrict litigation (MDL) currently underway. You can reach an Invokana lawsuit lawyer today at 713-850-8600.
What Type of Adverse Health Events Are Invokana Users Experiencing?
Usually used with a change in diet and other lifestyle factors, Invokana and other canagliflozin products are proving to offer a new and effective way to combat Type 2 diabetes. Invokana is a part of a new generation of drugs that works differently than older drugs. These medications control blood sugar levels by blocking the absorption of glucose. Instead of letting it absorb into the blood stream, Invokana pushes it straight to the kidneys and the kidneys release it in the urine.
There is a downside to this new generation of drugs, however. They seem to increase the risk of a number of illnesses and conditions that Type 2 diabetics are already at an increased risk of developing. These include:
- Ketoacidosis, a dangerous increase in acid in the blood;
- An increased risk of bone fractures;
- Kidney failure; and
- An increase in the number of leg and foot amputations.
What Can I Do If I Experienced Serious Side Effects After Taking Invokana?
If you are suffering from serious complications after taking Invokana, we can help you recover the compensation you need to care for yourself and your family. Our attorneys will collect the medical evidence we need to tie your side effects to this drug.
We will then file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer, aggressively pursuing damages for your related losses. These could include:
- Medical bills, both current and future;
- Current lost wages and any long-term reduced earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of life’s enjoyment; and
- Wrongful death, if a loved one died after taking Invokana.
Has the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Taken Action on Invokana?
Since Invokana hit the market, the FDA has kept a close eye on the drug. The reports of adverse health events related to this medication began almost immediately, but there was little information about long term effects of the drug until a clinical trial showed an increased risk of leg and foot amputations among patients taking Invokana.
According to the FDA, the results showed that patients taking Invokana and similar medications faced twice the risk of an amputation than patients not using one of these new generation drugs. While most of the patients in the study only lost a toe or a portion of the foot and mobility was not severely impacted, others needed to have much of their leg amputated, or lost parts of both feet or legs. This can cause major issues with mobility, and can even negatively affect quality of life.
Because of these studies, and the reports from doctors and patients, the FDA issued a statement about Invokana in May 2017. All drugs in this class, including Invokana, Invokamet, and Invokamet XR, now require strong boxed warnings that highlight the heightened risk of requiring an amputation. The FDA has not added other possible complications to the boxed warning, but those could come later as even more research comes out about Invokana.
What Is the Current Status of the Invokana Lawsuits?
The courts agreed to consolidate all federal Invokana lawsuits into an MDL in December 2016. This will allow the plaintiffs’ attorneys to work together to collect evidence and build a strong case against the drug manufacturers. An MDL consolidates all cases for pretrial proceedings and discovery, allowing all parties involved to cut costs and get a large number of lawsuits through the courts faster.
Once they conclude the discovery portion of the MDL, the court will choose several bellwether cases to try. These trials will help both the plaintiffs and the defense understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case, while giving each party a good idea of how the individual cases may go if they go to trial in their original jurisdictions. While the bellwether trials do not have a direct impact on the other cases in the MDL, they often pave the way for the defendants to offer fair settlements or the plaintiffs to drop their claim before trial.
While the pretrial proceedings are already underway in this MDL, we can still help you file a claim for compensation if you suffered harmful side effects after taking Invokana. It is not too late to join the fight against a drug company that failed to issue any warnings about serious side effects or complications. We can help you hold them responsible for the damages you suffered.
How Can I Discuss My Situation With an Invokana Lawsuit Lawyer?
The personal injury team from D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and lost wages, and cover your pain and suffering. Our knowledgeable Invokana lawsuit attorneys can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. If you qualify for compensation, we will not hesitate to litigate your case on your behalf.
You can reach our office at 713-850-8600. We offer free consultations, and you never pay us anything until we recover compensation in your case. You have nothing to lose. Call us today to learn more.
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