Too often do new medications get found out for being incredibly dangerous, and it’s usually a little too late. Drug companies continue to leave consumers uninformed about potentially fatal side effects, simply because it would “hurt the brand.”Unfortunately, even after thousands of patients file lawsuits against these big pharma companies, for the injuries and medical complications they suffered from taking the drugs they manufacture, medications still remain on the market.
Drug manufacturers pay off lawsuits with ease because of the billions of dollars they rake in from unknowing victims. They overprice their drugs so that they can earn an abundance of profit, regardless of how broke people become overpaying for medication, some of which people need to live.
This is a sad but true part of our society today,and the ignorance is killing millions of people. Hopefully, some action is taken against big pharma soon. Johnson & Johnson is one of the companies that was involved in lawsuits over drug injury cases. These cases were over the medication Invokana and talcum powder made by Johnson & Johnson.
Invokana Lawsuit
Invokana is an oral medication for adult-onset diabetes. Taking this medication comes with tons of possible side effects, some less common than others. The so-called “rare” side effects of Invokana have occurred in a great deal of people, resulting in more than 1,100 lawsuits filed against the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson.
Below is just a short list out of the very extensive number of side effects. To see the complete list of side effects, click here.
Invokana Side Effects:
- Bladder pain
- Painful urination
- Discharge with strong odor from the genitals (in men and women)
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Loss of appetite
- Side pain
- Troubled breathing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Depression
- Nightmares
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
Even more symptoms can occur when taking Invokana at the same time as Metformin. Patients commonly take these simultaneously since Metformin helps with high blood pressure in people who have type 2 diabetes. However, doing so can cause Fournier’s gangrene, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney failure, or a doubled risk for lower-limb amputation.
Metformin alone has side effects like nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, and weakness; when combined with Invokana, it becomes much more lethal. Johnson & Johnson did not warn patients of these severe side effects, which is the main reason for the lawsuits against them.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
This condition is caused by Metformin and Invokana’s effects on insulin in the body. During Diabetic Ketoacidosis, the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones.It also starts to burn fat extremely quickly. It may not sound serious, but it is actually very fatal. Diabetic Ketoacidosis is caused by the body’s inability to produce enough insulin.
Indications of Diabetic Ketoacidosis:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Food intolerance
- Very high blood sugar
Lower-Limb Amputations
People with type 2 diabetes are already at risk for poor circulation and nerve damage in feet, which sometimes leads to a necessary amputation. This risk factor is doubled when taking Invokana. Many patients found that their symptoms associated with diabetes became much worse after taking Invokana, and nerve damage in their feet progressed much faster than before they were on it.
They were not aware of this issue when they started the medication because no warning had been released yet by the FDA.
Once the risks became clear, the FDA made a requirement for a black box warning on the packaging for Invokana that shows the severe side effects but did not take it off the market. Most people would agree when I say they should have, especially because of how fatal it can be.
Patients took Invokanaand Metformin because they were told it would help them when, in reality, it took their life.
Johnson & Johnson Lawsuit
The company Johnson & Johnson was involved in lawsuits other than the ones concerning Invokana. It was discovered that some of their body powders and shower-to-shower products contained asbestos. You might have heard of the cancer-causing agents that are in asbestos because of the ceiling tiles in old houses that contain it. Talcum powder contains it as well.
Asbestos in talcum powder can cause lung cancer if you breathe it in, or ovarian cancer in women who have previously used it on their genitals on a regular basis. This problem includes a cancer risk for children since talcum powder is an ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s body powder.
The company, Johnson & Johnson was aware of the cancer-causing ingredients in their products from the beginning but did nothing about it and most certainly didn’t tell consumers.
During one of the Johnson & Johnson lawsuits in St. Louis, Missouri in July of 2018, the jury found the company liable for more than $4.69 billion in compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of 22 plaintiffs. Other lawsuits against them came from multiple different states and even from federal courts. Some of the settlements and verdicts are still being determined today.
Should You File a Lawsuit?
If you had a lower-limb amputation or developed Fournier’s gangrene as a result of Invokana, or if you were diagnosed with cancer after using products made by Johnson & Johnson, consider consulting a lawyer for compensation. They will be able to evaluate your situation and determine whether or not a lawsuit would be possible.
Drug companies have plenty of funds for skilled lawyers, so you need to make sure you have a chance going up against them. If you succeed, you could possibly get compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
There are tons of lawyers to choose from for either of these lawsuits. Try finding one in your area, for convenience.