LATEST TREND - SEND OUT EXCESS SUGAR IN URINE!

New member of the squad against Diabetes!

Canagliflozin 

• Invokana
• Invokamet (Cangliflozin + Metformin)

Canagliflozin is a newest member in treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. This drug can be used as adjuvant to Diet & Exercise.

Canagliflozin inhibits Sodium Glucose Transport protein Sub type 2. This protein is responsible for reabsoption of sugar in the kidneys.

By stopping the activity of Sodium Glucose Transport Protein -2 (SGLT-2) will result in loss of glucose in urine. Canagliflozin can help lose about 80-120mg/dl sugar. Additional benefits are better control of Hypertension due to osmotic diuresis and weight loss. 

Half life of Canagliflozin is upto 12hours, Hence a twice daily dosage is preferred.

Canagliflozin comes in  the strengths of 50mg and 150mg

A recent welcome addition is introduction of Invokamet (Canagliflozin + Metformin)

The available combinations are 

Canagliflozin 50 mg + Metformin 500mg

Canagliglozin 50mg + Metformin 1000mg

Canagliflozin 150 mg + Metformin 500mg

Canagliglozin 150mg + Metformin 1000mg

Since most of our patients require twice daily metformin this combination will help give better sugar control. 1 Tablet with advantage of two drugs. 

This drug may help patients attain a better control of blood sugars.
Chances of hypoglycemia are relatively less

This Drug cannot be used in patients with Renal failure, Hypotension and Type 1 Diabetes!

Some patients ( ~5%) may experience the side effects like Female genital mycotic infections, Urinary tract infections and increased urination.

My previous write up about Canagliflozin - CLICK HERE!

This drug being marketed by Johnson & Johnson is expected to come to India soon.

More in news from Johnson & Johnson - JNJ

Dr.Riyaz Sheriff
R.S. Clinic

CANAGLIFLOZIN - ONE MORE SOLDIER TO BATTLE DIABETES!

 Canagliflozin - This new compound has been recently approved by FDA for use in Diabetes.


Technically speaking it’s a Selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.

This group of drugs are considered to provide a novel approach to treatment of Diabetes.


 So what do these drugs do?


To put in very simple terms these drugs reduce the tolerability of kidney to sugar in the system so more amount of sugar is excreted in the urine thereby reducing the levels of glucose in the blood.


Many molecules are under research and some of them have reached the stage of clinical trials


To name a few


Remogliflozin
 

Sergliflozin
 

Dapagliflozin

Many other molecules are yet to be named...


The one successful candidate which had obtained FDA approval is Canagliflozin.


As I said earlier it’s a Selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise in treatment of Type 2 Diabetes


Dosage is 100mg per day taken before first meal of the day. Dose can be raised upto 300mg/day.


As like any other medicine known to man this drug also comes with some side effects


Around 10% patients, especially the females faced problems with associated genital fungal infections. Other minor (1-6%) side effects were increased urination, fungal infections in males, vulvovaginal pruritis, thirst, constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain


LIKE FOR ANY OTHER DRUG EVEN THIS DRUG HAS TO BE TAKEN UNDER PROPER MEDICAL SUPERVISION


We are yet to get reports about long term safety and about the usage of this drug in pregnant women and children. Also before we start using this drug we will have to see the effect of this drug in Indian population. So till we get the results let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that this drug or other molecules of this family succeed. These drugs will give us more confidence to deal with Diabetes in a much more affective way and give all our dear patients a better future!