Ontario resident Rosalba Joudry alleges in her petition that Janssen did not conduct adequate long-term studies on the effects of Invokana on kidney health. She charges that Janssen further failed to provide adequate warnings about Invokana side effect risks. Her suit alleges Janssen failed to conduct any prospective or retrospective population studies, animal studies or trial studies for Invokana; failed to hire experts to examine the drug; failed to review or take action on information regarding the risk of drugs in Invokana’s class of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Ms. Joudry’s lawsuit states: “Even if the probability of injury is small or may only affect a small group of users, this risk must be balanced against considerations such as the nature of the drug, the necessity for taking it, the seriousness of the danger, and the magnitude of the increased danger to the consumer.”

Invokana Risks downplayed – Lawsuit

Ms. Joudry’s petition further alleges that Janssen ignored information regarding side effects and downplayed the seriousness of potential side effects; instead, the company promoted Invokana as safe. The lawsuit charges that Invokana is an unreasonably dangerous drug that should never have been marketed.

Ms. Joudry’s doctor prescribed her Invokana in 2014 to help manage her type 2 diabetes. While taking Invokana over the first few months, she learned through a television ad about the risk of kidney problems, underwent tests, and was subsequently diagnosed with kidney failure. Ms. Joudry says she would not have taken Invokana if she had known about the risks.

CBC News reported on September 17, 2015 that the Canadian lawsuit seeks more than $1 billion on behalf of patients allegedly harmed by Invokana.

Invokana $1 Billion Lawsuit Filed

Another Invokana lawsuit this one pursued not as a class action but as an individual case, was filed by Jennifer Anzo in California. Ms. Anzo alleges Janssen marketed Invokana as safe and effective, while it was linked to serious complications that include kidney failure. Ms. Anzo’s legal petition says she developed diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of using Invokana. She says she was subsequently hospitalized with severe dehydration, severe abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and tachycardia. Ms. Anzo also says she would not have taken Invokana had she had known about its risk of complications. Her suit seeks as yet unspecified damages.

The California lawsuit lawsuit is Anzo v. Janssen Research & Development, LLC, et al., Case number 2:15-at-01102, in US District Court, Eastern District of California.

Related

• Invokana Lawsuit | Attorney
• FDA Invokana Reviewers’ Tepid Approval

by Matthews & Associates