Diabetes Medication Invokana And Horrible Flesh-Eating Infection
The Food and Drug Administration issued a special medical warning to the public about a dangerous link between diabetes drugs such as Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors and a horrible flesh-eating infection called Fournier’s gangrene that can result in serious disfiguration and even death.
The FDA’s medical alert noted:
“This serious rare infection, called necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, is also referred to as Fournier’s gangrene. We are requiring a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information of all SGLT2 inhibitors and to the patient medication guide.”
The warning was issued after a government study found that during a five-year period men and women using SGLT2 inhibitors were showing up in increasing numbers with Fournier’s gangrene within months of beginning treatment with the medications.
The fallout from this serious issue is that patients and physicians are now becoming more aware of the possible dangerous side effects of Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors and victims of these terrible medical issues are seeking legal options.
There is available legal assistance for those who have suffered from Fournier’s gangrene or have a loved one afflicted. Resources such as the network of highly specialized attorneys at Injury Help Desk are offering free consultations to pursue possible compensation.
The Mayo Clinic says Fournier’s gangrene involves the genital organs and usually arises due to an infection in the genital area or urinary tract and causes genital pain, tenderness, redness and swelling.
The clinic warns:
Gangrene can lead to scarring or the need for reconstructive surgery. Sometimes, the amount of tissue death is so extensive that a body part, such as your foot, may need to be removed (amputated). Gangrene that is infected with bacteria can spread quickly to other organs and may be fatal if left untreated.
The FDA has identified at least 12 patients who were hospitalized and required surgery. Some patients required multiple disfiguring surgeries, some developed complications, and one patient died, according to the FDA. In comparison, only six cases of Fournier’s gangrene (all in men) were identified in review of other antidiabetic drug classes over a period of more than 30 years.
Of concern to the FDA is the agency’s admission that those numbers may be even larger because there could be other cases that have not yet been identified or reported. Patients who took Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors and are symptomatic of this dangerous condition are urged to contact the agency.
Here is a fact list posted by the FDA:
- SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of prescription medicines approved for use with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Medicines in the SGLT2 inhibitor class include canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin. They are available as single-ingredient products and also in combination with other diabetes medicines such as metformin (see FDA-approved SGLT2 Inhibitors).
SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine. - Common side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors include yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and low blood sugar when combined with other prescription diabetes medicines.
- In 2017, an estimated 1.7 million patients received a dispensed prescription for an SGLT2 inhibitor from U.S. outpatient retail pharmacies.
If you or a loved one were treated with Invokana or other SGLT2 inhibitors and suffered from the dangerous side effects such as Fournier’s gangrene as outlined by the FDA there are experienced attorneys available to assist you in pursuing possible legal action seeking financial compensation.
However, there may be time limitations affecting these legal options so it is important to — as soon as possible — contact the network of highly specialized attorneys at Injury Help Desk where free consultations are available to eligible victims seeking possible compensation.