Invokana/SGLT2 Inhibitors Amputation, Genital Infection and Cancer Injuries

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors is a class of medication used to manage Type 2 diabetes in adults. Along with diet and exercise, SGLT2 Inhibitors can lower blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about serious complications that can occur with the use of several types of SGLT2 Inhibitors. These conditions include Fournier’s gangrene, leg and foot amputations, and kidney and bladder cancer. Thousands of people have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of SGLT2 Inhibitor medications after developing serious and fatal side effects from these drugs.

SGLT2 Inhibitors Lawyers are Ready to Help

Contact our SGLT2 Inhibitors Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting SGLT2 Inhibitor cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with SGLT2 Inhibitors Lawyers at our law firm, please call (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.

What Are Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors?

SGLT2 Inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes:

• Invokana (active ingredient: canagliflozin);
• Invokamet (active ingredients: canagliflozin and metformin);
• Farxiga (active ingredient: dapagliflozin);
• Xigduo XR (active ingredients: dapagliflozin and metformin extended-release);
• Jardiance (active ingredient: empagliflozin);
• Glyzambi (active ingredients: empagliflozin and linagliptin); and
• Synjardy (active ingredients: empagliflozin and metformin).

SGLT2 Inhibitors are designed to treat Type 2 diabetes by blocking SGLT2, an agent that controls the reabsorption of glucose into the bloodstream. The medication causes glucose to be expelled into the urine, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. SGLT2 Inhibitors were considered a medical breakthrough for treating Type 2 diabetes when they were first approved by the FDA in 2013.

What is Happening with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors?

The FDA announced new warnings for several drugs in the SGLT2 Inhibitor class as a result of serious complications reported by users. Despite the addition of FDA warnings, thousands of lawsuits have been filed by consumers as a result of the manufacturer’s failure to inform the public about these dangerous side effects.

In August 2018, the FDA reported cases of a serious infection of the genitals and area surrounding the genitals, known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum or Fournier’s gangrene, in users of certain SGLT2 Inhibitors including Invokana, Farxiga and Jardiance. The FDA required new warning labels to advise patients of the risk of developing this condition. Fournier’s gangrene is a bacterial infection of the tissues around the perineum area. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop this condition. Between March 2013 and May 2018, 12 cases of Fournier’s gangrene were reported in patients taking SGLT2 Inhibitors. The 12 reported cases required hospitalization and surgery, and one resulted in death.

In a separate communication, the FDA warned that SGLT2 Inhibitors with the active ingredient canagliflozin increased the risk of leg and foot amputations. As a result of adverse events associated with the use of SGLT2 Inhibitors containing canagliflozin, the FDA revamped the labeling of the medication. The FDA included a Black Box Warning in 2017 after clinical trials found that leg and foot amputations were twice as likely in patients taking canagliflozin than those taking a placebo. Amputations typically involved the toe and middle of the foot, while a smaller number affected the leg below or above the knee, or both legs.

A third complication associated with SGLT2 Inhibitors is kidney and bladder cancer. In 2011, an increase in bladder cancer in users of SGLT2 Inhibitors (in particular dapagliflozin) was reported in findings submitted by the FDA. Excessive reports of male bladder cancer in preclinical trials delayed approval of the drug in 2012. The link between SGLT2 Inhibitors and kidney and bladder cancer continues to be investigated.

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm617360.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm557507.htm

https://sciencetrends.com/cancer-risk-found-associated-novel-diabetes-medications-sglt2-inhibitors/

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors Side Effects and Complications

Serious side effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors include:

• Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum or Fournier’s gangrene (genital infection);
• Amputation of the leg and foot;
• Kidney failure;
• Ketoacidosis; and
• Increased risk of bladder and kidney cancer.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors Lawyers are Ready to Help

Contact our SGLT2 Inhibitors Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting SGLT2 Inhibitors cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with SGLT2 Inhibitors Lawyers at our law firm, please call (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.