In August 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public and healthcare providers about the risk of a class of type 2 diabetes medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors causing a rare and potentially life-threatening genital infection called Fournier’s gangrene.
Medications in that class of drugs include:
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Glyxambi (empagliflozin/linagliptin)
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin)
Patients who take any of those medications are advised to immediately seek medical attention if they experience the following side effects:
- Tenderness, redness, or swelling of the genitals or genital area
- Fever higher than 100.4 F
- Feeling unwell
The FDA also warns that the symptoms of the condition can progress rapidly. Treatment for Fournier’s gangrene can be invasive and often involves broad-spectrum antibiotics and even surgical debridement of the affected area. That’s because the bacteria associated with Fournier’s gangrene can destroy healthy tissue and move on to areas surrounding the initial infection site.
The FDA reports that 1.7 million people filled prescriptions for SGLT2 inhibitors in 2017 alone, and while Fournier’s gangrene is a rare disease, many people may have been affected by the condition due to the risks associated with those drugs.
If you or someone you love suffered health problems after taking a type 2 diabetes medication, including an SGLT2 inhibitor, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller know what you’re going through, and we want to help you get the money you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.