June 22, 2017 — Invokana and similar diabetes drugs double the risk of ketoacidosis compared to DPP-4 inhibitor diabetes drugs, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
It is the largest study to compare the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition in which the blood becomes too acidic. The FDA has already issued several warnings and updated the label on Invokana.
The conclusions of the study were based on 90,132 diabetics who started a DPP-4 inhibitor vs. 50,220 patients on SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana.
The doubled increased risk of ketoacidosis “sounds frightening,” admitted lead author Dr. Michael Fralick, but he said “the actual risk is quite small.” The estimated risk is 5 to 8 cases of ketoacidosis per 1,000 patients who start taking an SGLT2 inhibitor. He warned:
“This is something that can happen relatively quickly, so that’s why I think it’s important right after patients are started on these drugs that they’re closely monitored and the clinician considers ordering bloodwork.”
Invokana belongs to the SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitor class of diabetes drugs, along with Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo, Jardiance, and Glyxambi. These drugs force the kidneys to remove more sugar from the body in urine to control blood-sugar.
In comparison, DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitor diabetes medications work by blocking hormones to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood. This class of drugs includes Januvia, Janumet, Onglyxa, Kombiglyze, Tradjenta, Glyaxmbi, Jentadueto, Nesina, Kazano, and Oseni.
Do I have an Invokana Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Invokana induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
