Synjardy belongs to a class of diabetes medications that have been linked to several life-threatening side effects, including kidney failure, ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood), and more.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Synjardy induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with a severe side effect, 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.
Overview
Synjardy is a once-daily oral prescription medication for adults with type-2 diabetes. It helps control blood-sugar levels with a combination of empagliflozin (Jardiance) and metformin, which work in different ways. Synjardy was approved in August 2015 and it is sold by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly & Co.
For more information, read the Prescribing Information (PDF) or the Medication Guide for Patients.
How Does Synjardy Work?
Empagliflozin, sold under the brand-name Jardiance, is a new type of diabetes medication that lowers blood-sugar levels by increasing the amount of glucose (sugar) excreted in urine. It has a diuretic effect that can increase your risk of dehydration, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections.
Metformin, one of the oldest and most widely-used diabetes medications, decreases the amount of sugar you absorb from food, which decreases the amount of glucose released by the liver. It also helps improve blood-sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivity.
Synjardy Side Effects
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Kidney infections
- Pyelonephritis
- Urosepsis
- Kidney failure
- Urinary tract infections
Synjardy and Kidney Failure
People with uncontrolled diabetes often develop nephropathy, a complication that occurs when excess sugar in the blood damages delicate filtration structures in the kidneys.
Because Synjardy forces the kidneys to remove even more sugar from the body, it increases the risk of kidney failure. This is why Synjardy should not be used by people with kidney problems, according to the manufacturer.
Two of the most common side effects of Synjardy — dehydration and urinary infections — can both lead to kidney failure. The FDA has already warned about pyelonephritis, a complication of urinary infections that spread to the kidneys.
Synjardy and Ketoacidosis
In December 2015, the label on Synjardy was updated to include stronger warnings about too much acid in the blood, a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
What is DKA?
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that occurs when there is a shortage of insulin in the body. This forces the body to start burning fat for energy because it cannot use glucose (sugar) from food. When fat cells break down, they release fatty-acids that are converted into toxins called ketones by the liver.
Symptoms of DKA
High levels of ketones poison the body and cause serious health problems, sometimes in less than 24 hours. Patients can check ketone levels at home with a urine dipstick. Blood-sugar levels may be elevated or normal.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach-area (abdominal pain)
- Tiredness
- Trouble breathing
- Frequent urination or excessive thirst
- Decreased alertness
- Dehydration (dry skin and mouth)
Synjardy and Kidney Damage
Synjardy causes patients to urinate much often, which is why Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common side effects. The problem is that bacteria in the bladder can travel up the ureter to the kidneys and cause a severe infection known as pyelonephritis. This can permanently scar the kidneys and impair renal function, which can lead to chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
Synjardy Class Action Information
Our trial lawyers are not pursuing justice for our clients through a Synjardy class action. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits for people who were injured by ketoacidosis. Several people who developed ketoacidosis after using diabetes drugs in the SGLT2 inhibitor class have already filed lawsuits. However, these cases are not part of a class action — they are individual lawsuits.
Do I have a Synjardy Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Synjardy induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with ketoacidosis or kidney damage, 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.
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