Renowned Plaintiffs’ Law Firm Parker Waichman LLP is Actively Pursuing Damages for Diabetics Who Lost Limbs and Suffered Other Injuries from Taking Synjardy. National plaintiffs’ law firm Parker Waichman LLP is currently investigating claims on behalf of their clients that the diabetic medication combination of empagliflozin and metformin, better known by the brand name […]
National plaintiffs’ law firm Parker Waichman LLP is currently investigating claims on behalf of their clients that the diabetic medication combination of empagliflozin and metformin, better known by the brand name Synjardy, leads to amputations of the lower extremities. Studies show that the class of drug called Gliflozins can increase the chance of needing an amputation, and empagliflozin is part of this class. The major international pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim produced, marketed and sold empagliflozin. Now, it may face legal claims because it failed to warn patients and physicians that its drug could result in amputations of the lower legs in diabetics with certain conditions.
Parker Waichman’s Synjardy amputation lawyers are dedicated to seeking justice for you and your family. If you or your loved one suffered the pain, loss, humiliation, and despair of losing part of their body from taking Synjardy, then you might be eligible to receive financial compensation. Parker Waichman’s empagliflozin/metformin lawyers have years of experience battling massive pharmaceutical companies like Boehringer Ingelheim. You have only one chance to recover damages. Do not trust your valuable claim to just any law firm. Instead, place your trust in the law firm that has recovered over $2 billion for its clients to fight for you against these drug companies.
Synjardy is the brand name for the medication that combines empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride. Synjardy is indicated for people suffering from Type-2 diabetes mellitus. Synjardy is a combination drug that includes a sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitor, SGTL2 inhibitor for short. SGLT2 is a protein that aids the kidneys in reabsorbing glucose. Empagliflozin, the SGLT2 inhibitor in Synjardy, blocks the SGLT2 protein molecule from doing its job. Consequently, the kidneys treat the excess glucose as waste and discharge the excess glucose from the body in the urine before it can be reabsorbed in the blood.
Metformin is another diabetes drug used frequently. Metformin works to prevent absorption of sugar in the stomach. Synjardy is recommended for people who have used either empagliflozin or metformin on their own without complete success. Combining the two drugs is intended to be a more successful treatment than using either drug alone for these patients.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Synjardy in 2015 for sales in the U.S. However, Boehringer Ingelheim failed to notify the FDA that Synjardy had the potential to inflict severe side effects on the patients. As a drug manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim owes a duty of care to their customers to warn them of all of the potential side effects. However, this company has failed to issue any warning about the increased potential for amputation.
One study conducted in the U.S. found no correlation between taking empagliflozin and amputation, but the study showed that canagliflozin, a different SGLT2 inhibitor marketed under the brand name Invokana, had the potential side effect of requiring amputation of the foot below the ankle. That study’s findings regarding empagliflozin run counter to the warnings issued by the European Medical Association (EMA), and even its authors recognize its limitations.
The EMA issued a warning in February of 2017 that any drug in the SGLT2 inhibitor, or “gliflozin” class, including empagliflozin, can lead to amputations. The EMA cautioned that taking any drug in the gliflozin class, which includes Synjardy, increases the chance that the patient will lose a lower limb. According to the EMA, the toes were at the highest risk for requiring amputation.
Infection and gangrene in the lower extremities are a concern for all diabetics. Taking a drug in the gliflozin class substantially increases that risk, and the likelihood that these conditions will require amputation of the affected extremity. The EMA recommends that people who are taking any gliflozin and develop pain, swelling, inflammation, ulcers, or infection on the feet consult their physicians immediately.
The information concerning side effects provided to the FDA by Boehringer Ingelheim did not include a warning about ketoacidosis either. Ketoacidosis is a potentially fatal ailment if left untreated. Ketoacidosis occurs when acids known as ketones build up in the blood. Ketones develop when the body consumes fat for energy instead of glucose. If the body is not absorbing sugar, then it does not need insulin to aid in the reabsorption process. So, if Synjardy blocks all of the sugar filtered out of the kidneys, then the pancreas will stop producing insulin. The body turns to ketones instead for energy.
Too many ketones in the blood can lead to the state of ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is very dangerous. The condition can make a person feel light-headed, nauseous, weak, confused, and even result in a dangerously high blood sugar level.
Synjardy has the potential to cause urinary tract infections as well. Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable, but if undiagnosed or untreated, they can lead to a kidney infection or kidney failure.
Parker Waichman’s’ products liability attorneys have a tremendous amount of experience pursuing claims against major U.S. and International corporations, including massive pharmaceutical companies. Large pharmaceutical companies like Boehringer Ingelheim have nearly unlimited resources to defend claims. Parker Waichman’s Gliflozin lawyers have stood up to the attorneys defending corporations like Boehringer Ingelheim with tremendous results. Parker Waichman’s lawyers have recovered over $2 billion in settlements and judgments for their clients. They have the experience, resources, and ambition to fight to protect your rights and recover monetary compensation for you or your family for your empagliflozin/metformin amputation or other injuries.
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Call Parker Waichman LLP today at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or fill out our client web contact form to speak with our empagliflozin/metformin amputation lawyers today.
