In May 2015, the FDA issued a warning about a possible increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood) from Jardiance and other diabetes drugs.
Need a Texas Jardiance Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with ketoacidosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Jardiance and Ketoacidosis
Jardiance contains empagliflozin, a diabetes medication in the SGLT2 inhibitor class. These drugs lower blood-sugar by forcing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body in urine.
In December 2015, the FDA completed a safety review and ordered stronger warnings about ketoacidosis on the label for Jardiance. The agency received 73 reports of ketoacidosis in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors from March 2013 through May 2015.
Risk-Factors for Ketoacidosis
The risk of ketoacidosis from Jardiance is low — less than 1% of patients, according to clinical trials — but failure to treat it could lead to life-threatening complications.
In some case reports, patients had other health problems at the same time or just before they developed ketoacidosis. It is a good idea to check your ketone levels every few hours if you have risk-factors for ketoacidosis, such as:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Emotional or physical stress
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Illness or fever (cold, flu, etc.)
- Eating less than normal
- Drinking alcohol frequently
- Trauma or surgery
- And more
Other Serious Risks
Jardiance has a diuretic effect and causes the urine to become more sweet, which significantly increases the risk of yeast infections and urinary tract infections. In some cases, urinary infections spread to the kidneys or bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications like sepsis or kidney failure.
What is Ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), can develop in less than 24 hours and causes the blood to become too acidic. It occurs when the body is burning fat for energy instead of using blood-sugar, which increases levels of poisonous blood-acids called ketones.
What Should I Do?
Closely monitor your blood-sugar and ketone levels. You can check ketones at home with urine test strips. In some cases, ketoacidosis occurs even when blood-sugar levels are only slightly higher than usual.
According to the FDA, you should stop taking Jardiance and seek emergency medical attention if you have the following symptoms of ketoacidosis:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
Treatment for Ketoacidosis
Most people require treatment in a hospital, where they receive intravenous (IV) fluids, electrolytes, minerals like potassium, and insulin to balance blood-sugar levels. With treatment, most people go home from the hospital in a day or two. Without treatment, ketoacidosis can cause shock, severe heart rhythm abnormalities, cardiac arrest, diabetic coma (unconsciousness), and death.
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