PMID: 25796788Mar 24, 2015Paper

Canagliflozin (Invokana): kidney SGLT2 cotransporter inhibitor for treating type 2 diabetes

Revue médicale de Liège
A J Scheen

Abstract

Canagliflozin is an inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporters type 2 (SGLT2) that are present in renal tubules. This specific insulin-independent mechanism promotes glucosuria, which results in a reduction in fasting and postprandial glycaemia and a decrease of glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Furthermore, canagliflozin promotes weight loss and lowers arterial (mainly systolic) blood pressure. Its efficacy is decreased in patients with renal insufficiency and the treatment should be stopped if estimated glomerular filtration rate is below 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. Both the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin have been investigated in 24 to 104-week controlled trials versus placebo or versus an active comparator (glimepiride or sitagliptin). The mean reduction in HbA(1c) averages 0.75% when added to other treatments, as compared to placebo. The 100 mg dose is as active as sitagliptin 100 mg while the 300 mg canagliflozin dose is even more efficacious. Adverse events are mostly mycotic genital infections and more rarely mild urinary tract infections. Caution is required in elderly patients and the risk of volume depletion should be checked (hypotension). Hypoglycaemia may occur only in patients already treated with an insulin-secreting...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Biomarkers for Type 2 Diabetes

Biomarkers can help understand chronic diseases and assist in risk prediction for prevention and early detection of diseases. Here is the latest research on biomarkers in type 2 diabetes, a disease in which the body is unable to produce or properly use insulin.