- What is canagliflozin? What is canagliflozin used for?
- What are the side effects of canagliflozin?
- What is the dosage for canagliflozin?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with canagliflozin?
- Is canagliflozin safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about canagliflozin?
What is canagliflozin? What is canagliflozin used for?
Canagliflozin is an oral drug that reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a new type of diabetes medication in a class of medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Under normal conditions, glucose is filtered out of the blood and into the kidney tubules as blood passes through the kidneys. The glucose then as absorbed from the tubules back into the blood so that glucose is not lost in the urine. SGLT2 is an enzyme in the kidney tubule that causes glucose to be reabsorbed from urine. Canagliflozin blocks the action of SGLT2. Therefore, canagliflozin reduces the reabsorption of glucose from renal tubules, leading to more excretion of glucose in urine. Canagliflozin was approved by the FDA in March 2013.
What brand names are available for canagliflozin?
Invokana
Is canagliflozin available as a generic drug?
No
Do I need a prescription for canagliflozin?
Yes
What are the side effects of canagliflozin?
The most common side effects of canagliflozin are:
- urinary tract infections,
- female genital fungal infections, and
- increased urination.
Other side effects of canagliflozin include:
- low blood pressure,
- increased potassium blood levels (hyperkalemia),
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and
- increased cholesterol.
What is the dosage for canagliflozin?
Canagliflozin should be taken before the first meal of the day. The recommended starting dose is 100 mg once daily and the maximum dose is 300 mg once daily. Renal function should be assessed prior to starting canagliflozin and periodically during treatment, and the dose of canagliflozin should be modified based on renal function.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/type2diabetes-s1-tourists-at-telescope.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Type 2 Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments See SlideshowWhich drugs or supplements interact with canagliflozin?
Canagliflozin may slightly increase the concentration of digoxin (Lanoxin) in the body when both drugs are being taken. Digoxin concentrations should be monitored appropriately.
Rifampin, phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125, phenobarbital, and ritonavir (Norvir) may reduce the effect of canagliflozin by increasing its elimination and reducing its concentration in the body. The dose of canagliflozin should be increased to 300 mg daily when combined with rifampin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or ritonavir.
Monitoring glucose control with urine glucose tests is not recommended in patients taking canagliflozin and similar drugs. These drugs increase urinary glucose excretion and will lead to positive urine glucose tests. Use alternative methods to monitor glucose control.
Is canagliflozin safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is unknown whether canagliflozin is secreted in human breast milk.
What else should I know about canagliflozin?
What preparations of canagliflozin are available?
Tablets: 100 and 300 mg
How should I keep canagliflozin stored?
Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F)
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Summary
Canagliflozin (Invokana) is a medication prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that may be reversible with diet and lifestyle changes. Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, and an unusual odor to your urine. Most people don't know they have type 2 diabetes until they have a routine blood test. Treatment options include medications, a type 2 diabetes diet, and other lifestyle changes.
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Diabetes Treatment: Medication, Diet, and Insulin
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with: insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is first treated with: weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
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Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes: Differences
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition in which a person's blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. Over 29.1 million children and adults in the US have diabetes. Of that, 8.1 million people have diabetes and don't even know it. Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent, juvenile) is caused by a problem with insulin production by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) is caused by: Eating a lot of foods and drinking beverages with simple carbohydrates (pizza, white breads, pastas, cereals, pastries, etc.) and simple sugars (donuts, candy, etc.) Consuming too many products with artificial sweeteners (We found out that they are bad for us!) Lack of activity Exercise Stress Genetics While the signs and symptoms of both types of diabetes are the same, which include: Increased urination Increased hunger Increased thirst Unexplained weight loss. However, the treatments are different. Type 1 diabetes is insulin dependent, which means a person with this type of diabetes requires treatment with insulin. People with type 2 diabetes require medication, lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
-
Diabetic Diet
A diabetic diet, or diabetes diet helps keep blood glucose levels in the target range for patients. Exercise and medication may also help stabilize blood glucose levels. Keeping track of when you take your diabetic medicine, keeping track of food choices, eating the proper amount of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fats will also help maintain proper blood glucose levels.
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Tips for Managing Type 1 and 2 Diabetes at Home
Managing your diabetes is a full time commitment. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information will enable you to mange your diabetes at home successfully.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- metformin
- Insulin for Diabetes Treatment (Types, Side Effects, and Preparations)
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2)
- glucose (Insta-Glucose, Dex4 & others)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Types of Insulin Medications for Diabetes
- Amaryl (glimepiride)
- glipizide (Glipizide XL, Glucotrol)
- glipizide and metformin
- Actos (pioglitazone)
- repaglinide (Prandin)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
- exenatide (Byetta)
- Glucovance (glyburide/metformin)
- Precose (acarbose)
- pramlintide (Symlin)
- Starlix (nateglinide)
- glyburide
- metformin and sitagliptin (Janumet)
- sitagliptin (Januvia)
- rosiglitazone (Avandia)
- Side Effects of Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Avandamet (rosiglitazone/metformin)
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