A new study from the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care found that Type 1 diabetes patients who took Invokana (canagliflozin) alongside insulin therapy were more likely to experience diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe and potentially fatal blood condition that develops when too many blood acids, or ketones, are present in the body.
Invokana, which is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, belongs to a group of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood-glucose levels by reabsorbing sugar in the kidneys and excreting excess amounts through urine. SGLT2 inhibitor manufacturers claim their drugs are more effective than traditional diabetes medications. However, soon after the first SGLT2 inhibitors hit the market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert warning that the drugs Invokana, Farxiga, and Jardiance may result in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Subsequent case reports revealed that in addition to potentially causing diabetic ketoacidosis, SGLT2 inhibitors may make it more difficult for medical professionals to recognize the disease, especially in type 1 diabetes patients. More recently, SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana have been linked to acute pancreatitis and bone fractures.
While SGLT2 inhibitors are currently approved for treatment only of Type 2 diabetes patients, manufacturers like Janssen are hoping to extend that approval to use in Type 1 diabetics. The new study assessed how Type 1 diabetes patients handled different doses of Invokana while receiving insulin treatment. Researchers found that diabetic ketoacidosis was reported in 4.3 percent of those receiving a 100-mg dose and 6 percent of those receiving a 300-mg dose, while those taking a placebo reported zero ketone-related adverse events.
Speak to your doctor or health care provider before starting or stopping any medication. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis while using an SGLT2 inhibitor like Invokana, you should contact the pharmaceutical attorneys at Lopez McHugh to receive a free legal consultation. You may be eligible to receive compensation through an SGLT2 inhibitor lawsuit.
