Diabetes Patient Suffering Compounded by Medication Errors

(Newswire.net — October 5, 2015) Philadelphia, PA — A September 10, 2015 decision by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to revise and strengthen its warning for the Type 2 diabetes medicine Invokana® and Invokamet™ (canagliflozin) reminds us of the risks that come with medication errors. Adult diabetes patients already struggling with the condition now must be concerned also about the possibility of bone fractures caused by their medicine. 

Overly Broad?

The term “medication errors” may be overly broad for issues of medical negligence. Some victims of medication errors may not realize their personal tragedies are, in fact, medication errors because they may not know what constitutes a medication error: 

• Failure by medical professionals to keep abreast of current warning and labeling intended to safeguard patients
• Failure by physicians to update or review medical records
• Nurses or doctors administering the wrong dosage, form or type of medicine
• Improper dosage prescribed by a doctor
• Mislabeled, mishandled or incorrectly stored medication
• Failure to recognize side effects from medications

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting some 27 million Americans. Through a combination of factors such as weight, genetics, damaged beta cells and other issues, many adult diabetes patients suffer lifetimes of diabetes management, since there is no cure for the condition. 

Invokana® and Invokamet™

Canagliflozin (Invokana®), used in Invokamet™, is an antidiabetic drug that improves glycemic control. The drug reduces HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) and HDL cholesterol, while also increasing LDL cholesterol. Invokamet™ combines Invokana® and Glucophage® in one pill to lower blood sugar (A1C). 

FDA

The FDA stated that canagliflozin increased the risk of bone fractures and decreased bone mineral density. The FDA advises health care professionals to consider bone fracture risks to their patients before prescribing the drug. Patients may suffer fractures as early as three months after first taking canagliflozin, often from something as mild as falling from standing height. Loss of bone minerals that led to reduced bone density in the hip and lower spine also resulted from taking Invokana®. 

Due Diligence

This recent warning by the FDA should alert any diabetes patients and their family members to be vigilant when visiting the doctor, to protect against medication errors. Verify that the doctor is aware of the recent FDA warnings.  

Ginsburg & Associates personal injury law firm has experience protecting the rights of clients in all aspects of medication errors, from improper dosage to misdiagnosis to failure by medical professionals to heed warnings regarding specific medications such as Invokana® and Invokamet™. 

Protect your rights. Contact Ginsburg & Associates today to speak to a legal professional.