Warning Signs of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

When cells don’t have enough insulin to use the glucose they need for energy, the body will begin to burn fat for fuel instead, which produces blood acids called ketones. When there are high levels of ketones in the blood, the blood becomes more acidic and complications like diabetic ketoacidosis may occur. Diabetic ketoacidosis usually develops gradually. However, when vomiting occurs, the condition can progress in just a few hours, resulting in symptoms like:

• Frequent urination
• Thirst or dry mouth
• High levels of ketones in the urine
• High blood glucose levels
• Dry or flushed skin
• Constantly feeling tired
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Confusion

Who is at Risk for DKA Side Effects?

Diabetic ketoacidosis is typically triggered by a problem with insulin therapy, or an illness, like pneumonia, which can work against the effect of insulin or leave the body with too little insulin to work the way it’s supposed to. Some other possible causes of diabetic ketoacidosis include alcohol or drug abuse, heart attack, or physical or emotional trauma, and a growing number of studies have shown that patients who take Invokana or another Type 2 diabetes medication belonging to the SGLT2 inhibitor class of drugs may also be more likely to develop diabetic ketoacidosis side effects.

Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitor medications are designed to help improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes, and the drugs lower blood glucose levels by preventing sugar from being reabsorbed into the blood by the kidneys, and by promoting the excretion of glucose through the urine. However, in May 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning indicating that “the type 2 diabetes medicines canagliflozin [Invokana], dapagliflozin [Farxiga], and empagliflozin [Jardiance] may lead to ketoacidosis, a serious condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones that may require hospitalization.”

Ketoacidosis Treatment and Complications

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency, and individuals diagnosed with the condition may be treated in the emergency room or admitted to a hospital for treatment, which usually involves fluid replacement, insulin therapy and/or electrolyte replacement. In its 2015 safety announcement, the FDA identified 20 instances of acidosis reported as diabetic ketoacidosis, ketoacidosis or ketosis in patients taking Invokana or another SGLT2 inhibitor between March 2013 and June 6, 2014, and according to the FDA, “All patients required emergency room visits or hospitalization to treat the ketoacidosis.”

In another drug safety communication issued in December 2015, the FDA added new warnings to the labels of SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana regarding the risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and serious urinary tract infections, both of which can result in hospitalization. The FDA also identified 73 cases of ketoacidosis in patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2 inhibitors between March 2013 and May 2015, and warned that “Patients should stop taking their SGLT2 inhibitor and seek medical attention immediately if they have any symptoms of ketoacidosis.”

Contact a Diabetic Ketoacidosis Lawyer Today

The medical complications associated with diabetic ketoacidosis are serious and may even be life-threatening, and individuals who develop DKA side effects while taking a medication like Invokana may be entitled to compensation for their losses. If you believe you have been adversely affected by diabetic ketoacidosis side effects of Invokana or another diabetes medication, don’t hesitate to seek legal help from a qualified product liability lawyer. You may qualify for reimbursement for damages like past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering, which you can pursue by filing an Invokana lawsuit against the drug manufacturing company.