Canagliflozin: A Review in Type 2 Diabetes

Canagliflozin (Invokana (R)) is a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor indicated in various countries worldwide for the once-daily oral treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Canagliflozin lowers blood glucose levels independently of insulin, with the inhibition of SGLT2 reducing renal reabsorption of glucose and increasing excretion of glucose in the urine. In well-designed clinical trials, canagliflozin (as first-line monotherapy or add-on therapy to other antihyperglycaemic agents) improved glycaemic control in adults with T2D, including those of older age and/or at high cardiovascular (CV) risk, and also had beneficial effects on their bodyweight and blood pressure (BP). CV risk reduction, as well as possible renal benefits, were also seen with canagliflozin in T2D patients at high CV risk in the CANVAS Program, an integrated analysis of two large CV outcomes studies. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, had a low risk of hypoglycaemia and was most commonly associated with adverse events such as genital and urinary tract infections and increased urination, consistent with its mechanism of action. Although the amputation and fracture risk observed among recipients of the drug require further investigation, canagliflozin is an important option for T2D management in adults.