
FDA Botches Diabetes Medication Warning
- Two FDA-approved diabetes medications cause kidney problems
- Are you experiencing symptoms of an adverse drug reaction? Find out…
- Discover how to get urgent medication information sent directly to your inbox.
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you take diabetes medication, you could be facing a new threat.
Well, not exactly a new threat…
You see, two FDA-approved drugs are now proving to cause kidney issues.
And while these drugs were approved — likely all too quickly — in 2013, the cases of kidney disease in patients taking these meds are starting to pile up.
In fact, between 2013 and 2015, there were 101 cases of acute kidney injury linked to taking these meds. Even worse, the FDA warns that it’s entirely possible many more cases have gone unreported.
Double Trouble for Diabetics
Canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga, Xigduo XR) are prescribed, along with diet and exercise, to help lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Both drugs use the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through urine. This could be one reason why kidney damage is on the rise amongst their users.
The FDA recommends that health care professionals assess kidney function and consider factors like chronic kidney problems, congestive heart failure, and decreased blood volume prior to prescribing this medications.
In addition, anyone taking diuretics, blood pressure medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) is at higher risk for an adverse reaction.
If you have any of the above medical issues or are taking any of the listed medications with canagliflozin or dapagliflozin, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Signs of acute kidney injury include decreased urination and swelling in the legs. IF you start experiencing these symptoms you need to get emergency medical treatment STAT.
If you’re taking canagliflozin or dapagliflozin, you may want to contact your doctor to see if there is a safer option.
One Way to Dodge the Danger
While this warning is a little late for the 101 people who experienced unnecessary kidney trauma, it’s not too late for you to take control of your health…
Since the FDA often does a bad job of safely approving drugs, like they did with these two, it’s up to you to protect yourself from their dangerous blunders.
You can’t keep the FDA from hastily approving dangerous drugs or making poor health suggestions, but you can stay on top of the latest, warnings, recalls, and approvals.
One way to do this is through FDA alert emails.
To learn how to sign up for FDA drug alerts, click here.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...
Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next
You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...
Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead
I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...
This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months
You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...
Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works
“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...
Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets
You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...