The FDA is investigating whether diabetes medicine is linked to ketoacidosis. The agency issued a warning in May 2015 that people taking Invokana and other diabetes medications may suffer ketoacidosis, a serious health problem that can lead to diabetic coma or death. Matthews & Associates law firm, which handles dangerous drug cases, is also investigating Invokana and other type 2 diabetes drugs for the potential purpose of filing lawsuits against their makers.Invokana, Invokamet linked to Ketoacidosis?
The FDA has warned that “type 2 diabetes medicines canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin may lead to ketoacidosis, a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones that may require hospitalization.” The agency said it will investigate further to determine whether a safety issue warrants the need to alter prescription warnings for this class of drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
FDA writes: “Patients should pay close attention for any signs of ketoacidosis and seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and unusual fatigue or sleepiness.
“SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of prescription medicines FDA-approved for use with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. . . SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine. These medicines are available as single-ingredient products and also in combination with other diabetes medicines such as metformin. . . “
Ketoacidosis potentially Fatal
According to the American Diabetes Association, ketoacidosis – or acidosis or DKA – causes one to produce dangerous levels of blood acids (or keytones) and leads to potentially fatal diabetic coma.
Diabetes Medicine linked to Ketoacidosis
FDA found 20 adverse event reports from people hurt or hospitalized – all required emergency room visits – after taking type 2 diabetes drugs that included Invokana, Invokamet and others. These drugs belong to a class of medications known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. They were approved by FDA to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes Medications
Brand Name (active ingredient/s)
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin)
- Glyxambi (empagliflozin/linagliptin)
Related
- Invokana Ketoacidosis Lawsuit
- (DKA) Ketoacidosis and Ketones
by Matthews & Associates
