Kidney failure is a medical condition that occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste products from the blood and balance fluids in the body, and research has shown that patients taking certain pharmaceutical drugs, namely sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors like Invokana, may face an increased risk of kidney failure side effects. Invokana and other drugs belonging to the SGLT2 inhibitor class of drugs are commonly prescribed to help control blood glucose levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes, but the medications have been linked to an increased risk of kidney failure and other side effects in recent years. If you have been diagnosed with kidney failure, and you believe Invokana or another diabetes drug to be the cause, consult an experienced product liability lawyer today for legal help.

Kidney Failure Warning Signs

The kidneys are responsible not only for removing wastes from the body and balancing fluids, they also help regulate blood pressure and are involved in the production of red blood cells. When the kidneys are no longer able to function properly, the following symptoms may occur:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Decreased urine output
• Fluid retention
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Seizures or coma
• Sudden death

Possible Causes of Kidney Failure

There are two types of kidney failure: acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease. Acute renal failure, which develops rapidly over the course of a few hours or a few days, occurs when the kidneys are suddenly unable to filter waste products from the blood, causing dangerous levels of wastes to accumulate in the body and knocking the body’s chemical makeup out of balance. On the other hand, chronic kidney disease is characterized by a long-standing disease of the kidneys that eventually leads to renal failure over the course of several months or years.
There are a number of possible causes of kidney failure, one being the use of certain prescription medications, namely SGLT2 inhibitor diabetes drugs like Invokana. In a drug safety communication issued by the FDA in December 2015, the agency identified 19 cases of life-threatening blood infections (urosepsis) and kidney infections (pyelonephritis) that began as urinary tract infections with the use of SGLT2 inhibitor medications between March 2013 and October 2014. According to the FDA, “All 19 patients were hospitalized, and a few required admission to an intensive care unit or dialysis in order to treat kidney failure.”

Kidney Failure Treatment and Complications

Treatment for kidney failure typically requires a hospital stay, and identifying the underlying factors contributing to the condition is the first step in returning kidney function to normal. Some common kidney failure treatments include the following:

• ntravenous fluids or diuretics to balance fluids in the blood
• Dialysis to remove toxins from the blood
• Medications to control potassium
• Medications to restore blood calcium levels

In some cases of kidney failure, the damage to the kidneys may be irreversible, and if the kidneys fail completely, the only available treatment options may be dialysis or a kidney transplant. Without prompt treatment, kidney failure may result in serious complications, like chest pain, muscle weakness, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, permanent kidney damage or death.

An Experienced Kidney Failure Attorney Can Help

Whatever the cause of your kidney failure, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of long-term complications or death, and to identify the underlying cause of the medical condition. If you believe your kidney failure was caused by the use of an SGLT2 inhibitor diabetes drug like Invokana, contact a reputable product liability lawyer as soon as possible to explore your possible compensation options. Patie
nts who have been harmed by alleged side effects of pharmaceutical drugs may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries, medical bills, emotional trauma and other damages, and with an experienced Invokana attorney on your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and seek fair and timely reimbursement for your losses.