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The Dangers Of Invokana

Type 2 Diabetes is a fact of life for a large number of people throughout the country. Diabetics must pay close attention to their sugar levels, meal schedules and heavily regulate what they eat. With Diabetes comes a routine of medications to control diabetes and regulate glucose levels. While there are many medications and methods for doing so, one popular medication is Invokana.  Invokana has been advertised and prescribed as a useful medication to control diabetes. Sadly, quite a few patients have suffered significant health problems due to side effects of Invokana.

WHAT EXACTLY IS INVOKANA?

Invokana is a brand name type of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is designed to improve a diabetic person’s glycemic responsiveness in combination with exercise and a low glycemic diet. According to the manufacturer, this combination of routine and medication helps avoid diabetic problems such as blindness and kidney failure. Invokana works by forcing kidneys to excrete sugar through the urine, effectively nullifying its effect on the patient’s blood sugar levels. This, however, has come at a cost and many Invokana users have experienced serious health problems due to its unintended side effects.

COMMON RISKS OF INVOKANA USE

Kidney Failure –  This is gravely dangerous because if waste is not properly removed from the body, patients may suffer weakness, shortness of breath, fatigues and in many cases sudden death.

Heart Attack-  When blood is blocked from getting to certain parts of the heart due to clogged arteries, the heart is deprived of oxygen causing permanent death of the cells within.

Ketoacidosis – When the body produces abnormally high levels of ketones, a patient is dealing with a condition known as ketoacidosis. This condition can lead to a diabetic coma. In severe cases, an extended hospital stay may be necessary, and can even be fatal.  Ketoacidosis occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is important because it helps sugar enter our cells and give energy to the muscles and other skeletal tissue. When insulin levels are depleted, the body breaks down fat as an alternative fuel source. This can be deceiving because you may lose weight and seem to be healthy, but it can actually lead up to unsafe levels of toxic acids in the blood.

WHY IS THIS DANGER UNKNOWN?

It is evident that the risk that comes with taking Invokana is quite severe in nature. Unfortunately, recent litigation has uncovered that the manufacturer may not have adequately warned doctors and patients of the known potential side effects.

ARE YOU SUFFERING SYMPTOMS FROM INVOKANA

Even if you have not been diagnosed with a condition common with Invokana use, it is important to monitor your health and any possible symptoms. There are several potential symptoms that could be the result of a much more serious Invokana-related problem including:

  • Chest pains
  • Dizziness
  • Faintness
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased pulmonary rate
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hyperventilation
  • Weakness
  • Changes in urination
  •  Anorexia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Confusion
  • Lethargy
  • Unusual fatigue

If you or a loved one has taken Invokana and experienced any of the symptoms above, you are encouraged to seek immediate medical treatment. Once you have been stabilized, the next priority should be seeking prompt legal assistance.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Our Houston personal injury lawyers at Ramji & Associates help patients who have been harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices in Texas. Call us at 888-351-0909.

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