The FDA recommends that patients on Glyxambi should seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood), such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and unusual fatigue or sleepiness.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Glyxambi induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with ketoacidosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
How Does Glyxambi Work?
Glyxambi contains linagliptin and empagliflozin, which treat diabetes in different ways. It belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs stop the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose (sugar) while they are filtering blood, which results in more sugar being excreted in urine. It also stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin, which helps lower blood-sugar.
What is the Problem?
SGLT2 inhibitors have been linked to over 100 reports of patients who developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This rare but life-threatening side effect occurs when the body burns fat instead of using blood-sugar for energy due to a shortage of insulin.
What Happens During Ketoacidosis?
As the body starts metabolizing fat, the liver releases toxins called ketones. In less than 24 hours, ketones can make the blood very acidic and poison the body. This causes problems with electrolytes, fluid levels, blood-sugar, and elevated liver enzymes.
As ketones accumulate in the body, they are excreted in urine along with sodium and potassium salts. In just a few hours, electrolyte imbalances can cause nausea and vomiting. Dehydration is a serious complication that occurs when frequent urination is combined with vomiting.
What Are Risk-Factors for Ketoacidosis?
In people with type-1 diabetes, DKA is often associated with a missed dose of insulin. In people with type-2 diabetes, it can occur after an illness or infection. Unfortunately, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are very common on Glyxambi. Other risk-factors include reduced fluid intake, emotional or physical stress, heart attack, stroke, or surgery.
FDA Recommendation for Glyxambi Patients
In December 2015, the FDA said it had received 73 reports of ketoacidosis in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors. They issued a Safety Communication for Glyxambi and told patients to seek emergency medical attention if symptoms of ketoacidosis occur.
What Can I Do?
Patients on Glyxambi can use a dipstick test to check ketone levels in their urine. It is a good idea to check for ketoacidosis if you have high blood-sugar, but it can occur even when blood-sugar levels are normal or only moderately increased. Other symptoms may include:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling tired
- Excessive thirst or dry mouth
- Flushed skin
- Dehydration
- “Fruity” smelling breath
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion
Do I have a Glyxambi Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Glyxambi induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with ketoacidosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
