3 Most Serious Side Effects Of Invokana
Invokana was the first in a new class of drug which was introduced for the treatment of Type 2 diabetics. It was suppose to help patients reduce their diabetes without taking insulin by lowering the blood sugar level in the kidneys.
Canagliflozin falls in the class of drugs called the oral antihyperglycemic agents. This drug works by raising the amount of glucose in the body which is then passed out by the kidneys. It is advisable not to stop the medication without the permission from the doctor.
Unfortunately, the drug, although widely popular has some major health risks associated with it.
Complications
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Canagliflozin, the main ingredient of the drug can lead to a potentially fatal condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. It is one of the major side effects of Invokana where the blood has too much of ketones. The common signs of the condition are:
- Increased need to urinate
- Intense thirst
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fruit-smelling breath odor
Confusion, fainting, vomiting, troubled breathing, dizziness, or unconsciousness are the signs for the advanced stage of ketoacidosis. The FDA has also showed concerns over Invokana’s ability to cause raised chances of cardiac problems as it increases the LDL cholesterol levels.
- Foot and leg amputation
Patients taking Invokana for a long time are at double the risk of leg or foot amputation than those who take some other drugs for diabetes. This study was revealed after the release of Invokana. Toe amputations are the most common in such patients. Patients taking the drug must not unnecessarily delay going to the doctor if there is the slightest sign of infections in their legs and feet, or any form of increased tenderness, ulcers, sores or other skin rashes.
- Complication in kidney
Dialysis or a kidney transplant is often the only option for patients whose suffer from malfunctioning of the organ. Kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from the blood, which is why when it stops working properly, there are risks of life threatening complications arising due to electrolyte imbalance, fluctuating blood pressure and disparity red blood cell production. It is one of the serious side effects of invokana that should treated immediately.
The label changes under FDA's instruction
Given the acute kidney injury complications, the FDA had to take steps to change the label of the drug. They ordered to change the label and warn the patients about the side effects of canagliflozin which is the active ingredient in Invokana. The FDA also advised doctors to consider the risk factors which could predispose patients to acute kidney complications. It also included congestive heart failure and low blood volume.
What you need to be careful about
Make sure to inform your healthcare provider if you suffer from any kidney or liver disease before you are prescribed with Invokana. Electrolyte imbalance in bloodstream, such as hyperkalemia or high blood potassium levels are commonly found in patients who take Invokana for a long time. It is one of the most unwanted side effects of the medicine. You should let your doctor know if there is any history of low blood pressure, high cholesterol, or yeast infection.
The Invokana lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen have been filed by hundreds of patients and the cases are at the federal court New Jersey. The major complaints against the medicine maker are the following:
- Invokana is an unreasonably dangerous medication
- Concealed the proof of the harmful side effects of the drug
- Johnson & Johnson was negligent about the quality control of Invokana
- Misrepresented and misbranded the effectiveness and safety of the drug to the entire medical community
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