As the number of Americans, including many here in Texas, who suffer from Type 2 diabetes grows, the pharmaceutical industry has tried to keep pace and provide medications to help control the condition. If you take any such medications, or any medications for chronic illnesses, you already know that most medications prescribe for them come with some pretty scary side effects.
You probably expect your doctor to take the time to weigh the consequences associated with the side effects in relation to the benefits of taking the medication. One of those drugs may be Invokana, which your doctor may prescribe for Type 2 diabetes. The pharmaceutical injury lawyers at Reich and Binstock help Invokana victims across Texas and the United States
Invokana Side Effects
The more common side effects associated with Invokana include the following:
- Bone fractures
- Decreased bone density
- Dangerously low blood sugar levels
- Cardiac arrest inducing levels of potassium
- Abnormally low blood pressure
- Renal function impairment
- Kidney failure
- Ketoacidosis
- LDL cholesterol increases
- Genital yeast infections
Manufacturers of medications containing Invokana received communications from the Food and Drug Administration to make their side effect warnings stronger regarding the bone density decrease and ketoacidosis in 2015.
Invokana Black Box Warnings
In 2016, the FDA became aware of studies indicating that the drug could lead to the need for amputations. In May of that year, manufacturers received instructions from the FDA to add “black box” warnings to medications containing Invokana to draw attention to this particularly troublesome side effect. In fact, in one study, those who took the placebo had less risk of amputations than did the patients taking Invokana.
Some may argue that the percentage of patients who required amputations was low. In fact, even though an association between the drug and amputations may be present, that fact alone may not require widespread panic in the eyes of some sources. They say that dehydration may be the actual culprit, but the lack of hydration may be due to how the medication acts in the body.
Houston Pharmaceutical Injury Lawyers for Invokana Victima
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how small the percentage is if you are the one suffering from the side effect. You could have an amputated appendage or limb associated with your use of Invokana. If so, you may be able to seek compensation for your physical, emotional and financial losses. Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to produce safe products. When that doesn’t happen, you may have the opportunity to hold them accountable for the damages caused by their medications.
