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Invokana
Invokana is a medication prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. It comes as a tablet that is taken once daily, usually before your morning meal. Your dosage will depend on how well your diabetes is controlled, other medications you are taking, and other factors. Side effects may include increased urination, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections.
Invokana® (canagliflozin) is a prescription medication approved to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It is the first approved medication belonging to a class of diabetes medications known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors).
(Click Invokana Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Invokana is made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
As mentioned earlier, Invokana is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. Normally, the kidneys filter glucose (sugar) out of the blood and into the urine. However, SGLT transporters help this glucose to be reabsorbed back into the blood in the kidneys. Essentially, the kidneys filter out and then "reclaim" the glucose.
Invokana inhibits one of the types of these transporters, preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing the glucose. This leads to glucose loss through the urine.
There have been several studies looking at the effects of Invokana for type 2 diabetes.
Invokana and Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a test used to measure long-term blood sugar control. For people without diabetes, HbA1c results are usually less than 6 percent, while people with diabetes usually have higher results. In one study, people taking Invokana lowered their HbA1c by 0.77 to 1.03 percent, on average (depending on the dose), while people not taking Invokana increased their HbA1c by 0.14 percent.
Studies have shown that the higher the HbA1c, the greater the chance for developing long-term problems related to diabetes. This includes such problems as heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. By getting blood sugar levels under control with Invokana, it may be possible to decrease the chances for developing these diabetes complications.
Invokana and Blood Sugar Levels
In studies, Invokana lowered fasting blood sugar by 27 to 35 mg/dL, on average. Invokana also lowered two-hour postprandial blood sugar (blood sugar two hours after a meal) by 43 to 59 mg/dL, on average.
Invokana and Weight
As an added benefit, people taking Invokana lost an average of 2.8 to 3.9 kg (about 6 to 9 lbs), depending on the dosage, over a period of 26 weeks.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD