More information about Canagliflozin
Canagliflozin, sold under the brand name Invokana among others, is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a third-line medication to be tried after metformin, a first-line medication for type 2 diabetes. It is used together with exercise and diet. It is not recommended in type 1 diabetes. It is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include vaginal yeast infections, nausea, constipation, and urinary tract infections. Serious side effects may include low blood sugar, Fournier's gangrene, leg amputation, kidney problems, high blood potassium, and low blood pressure. Diabetic ketoacidosis may occur despite nearly normal blood sugar levels. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. Canagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of glucose lost in the urine.
Canagliflozin was approved for medical use in the United States, in the European Union, and in Australia in 2013. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2018, it was the 191st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3\u00a0million prescriptions.
