Canagliflozin
Also sold as: Invokana, Invokamet
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These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action SGLT2, expressed in the proximal renal tubules, is responsible for the majority of the reabsorption of filtered glucose from the tubular lumen. Canagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2. By inhibiting SGLT2, canagliflozin reduces reabsorption of filtered glucose and lowers the renal threshold for glucose (RT G ), and thereby increases urinary glucose excretion (UGE). Canagliflozin increases the delivery of sodium to the distal tubule by blocking SGLT2-dependent glucose and sodium reabsorption. This is believed to increase tubuloglomerular feedback and reduce intraglomerular pressure.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE INVOKANA (canagliflozin) is indicated: as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). to reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), doubling of serum creatinine, cardiovascular (CV) death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria greater than 300 mg/day. INVOKANA is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor indicated: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( 1 ) To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease ( 1 ) To reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria ( 1 ). Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus ( 1 ) Not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( 1 ) Limitations of Use INVOKANA is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . INVOKANA is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . INVOKANA is likely to be ineffective in this setting based upon its mechanism of action.
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Assess renal function before initiating and as clinically indicated ( 2.1 ) The recommended starting dose is 100 mg once daily, taken before the first meal of the day ( 2.2 ) Dose can be increased to 300 mg once daily in patients tolerating 100 mg once daily who have an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater and require additional glycemic control ( 2.2 ) Dose adjustment for patients with renal impairment may be required ( 2.3 ) See full prescribing information for INVOKANA dosage modifications due to drug interactions ( 2.4 ) Withhold INVOKANA at least 3 days, if possible, prior to major surgery or procedures associated with prolonged fasting ( 2.5 ). 2.1 Prior to Initiation of INVOKANA Assess renal function before initiating INVOKANA and as clinically indicated [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . In patients with volume depletion, correct this condition before initiating INVOKANA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.5 , 8.6) ] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration The recommended dosage of INVOKANA is 100 mg orally once daily, taken before the first meal of the day. For additional glycemic control, the dosage of INVOKANA may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 300 mg once daily. 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment Table 1 provides dosage recommendations for patients with renal impairment, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Table 1: Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate [eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m 2 )] Recommended Dosage eGFR 30 to less than 60 The maximum recommended dosage is100 mg orally once daily. eGFR less than 30 Initiation is not recommended Patients taking INVOKANA with albuminuria greater than 300 mg/day may continue INVOKANA 100 mg once daily to reduce the risk of ESKD, doubling of serum creatinine, CV death, and hospitalization for heart failure [see Indications and Usage (1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ]. 2.4 Concomitant Use with UDP-Glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) Enzyme Inducers When co-administering INVOKANA with an inducer of UGT (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ritonavir), increase the dosage of INVOKANA based on renal function [see Drug Interactions (7) ]: In patients with eGFR 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater, increase the dosage to 200 mg orally once daily in patients currently tolerating INVOKANA 100 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dosage of INVOKANA is 300 mg once daily. In patients with eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , increase to a maximum recommended dosage of 200 mg orally once daily in patients currently tolerating INVOKANA 100 mg once daily. 2.5 Temporary Interruption for Surgery Withhold INVOKANA at least 3 days, if possible, prior to major surgery or procedures associated with prolonged fasting. Resume INVOKANA when the patient is clinically stable and has resumed oral intake [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Other Ketoacidosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Lower Limb Amputation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Volume Depletion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier's gangrene) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Genital Mycotic Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Bone Fracture [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Most common adverse reactions (5% or greater incidence): female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection, and increased urination ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-526-7736 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Pool of Placebo-Controlled Trials for Glycemic Control The data in Table 2 is derived from four 26-week placebo-controlled trials where INVOKANA was used as monotherapy in one trial and as add-on therapy in three trials. These data reflect exposure of 1,667 patients to INVOKANA and a mean duration of exposure to INVOKANA of 24 weeks. Patients received INVOKANA 100 mg (N=833), INVOKANA 300 mg (N=834) or placebo (N=646) once daily. The mean age of the population was 56 years and 2% were older than 75 years of age. Fifty percent (50%) of the population was male and 72% were Caucasian, 12% were Asian, and 5% were Black or African American. At baseline the population had diabetes for an average of 7.3 years, had a mean HbA 1C of 8.0% and 20% had established microvascular complications of diabetes. Baseline renal function was normal or mildly impaired (mean eGFR 88 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). Table 2 shows common adverse reactions associated with the use of INVOKANA. These adverse reactions were not present at baseline, occurred more commonly on INVOKANA than on placebo, and occurred in at least 2% of patients treated with either INVOKANA 100 mg or INVOKANA 300 mg. Table 2: Adverse Reactions from Pool of Four 26–Week Placebo-Controlled Studies Reported in ≥ 2% of INVOKANA-Treated Patients The four placebo-controlled trials included one monotherapy trial and three add-on combination trials with metformin, metformin and sulfonylurea, or metformin and pioglitazone. Note: Percentages were weighted by studies. Study weights were proportional to the harmonic mean of the three treatment sample sizes. Adverse Reaction Placebo N=646 INVOKANA 100 mg N=833 INVOKANA 300 mg N=834 Urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections include the following adverse reactions: Urinary tract infection, Cystitis, Kidney infection, and Urosepsis. 3.8% 5.9% 4.4% Increased urination Increased urination includes the following adverse reactions: Polyuria, Pollakiuria, Urine output increased, Micturition urgency, and Nocturia. 0.7% 5.1% 4.6% Thirst Thirst includes the following adverse reactions: Thirst, Dry mouth, and Polydipsia. 0.1% 2.8% 2.4% Constipation 0.9% 1.8% 2.4% Nausea 1.6% 2.1% 2.3% N=312 N=425 N=430 Female genital mycotic infections Female genital mycotic infections include the following adverse reactions: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Vulvovaginal mycotic infection, Vulvovaginitis, Vaginal infection, Vulvitis, and Genital infection fungal. 2.8% 10.6% 11.6% Vulvovaginal pruritus 0.0% 1.6% 3.2% N=334 N=408 N=404 Male genital mycotic infections Male genital mycotic infections include the following adverse reactions: Balanitis or Balanoposthitis, Balanitis candida, and Genital infection fungal. 0.7% 4.2% 3.8% Abdominal pain was also more commonly reported in patients taking INVOKANA 100 mg (1.8%), 300 mg (1.7%) than in patients taking placebo (0.8%). Placebo-Controlled Trial in Diabetic Nephropathy The occurrence of adverse reactions for INVOKANA was evaluated in patients participating in CREDENCE, a study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria > 300 mg/day [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . These data reflect exposure of 2,201 patients to INVOKANA and a mean duration of exposure to INVOKANA of 137 weeks. The rate of lower limb amputations associated with the use of INVOKANA 100 mg relative to placebo was 12.3 vs 11.2 events per 1000 patient-years, respectively, with 2.6 years mean duration of follow-up. The incidence of hypotension was 2.8% and 1.5% on INVOKANA 100 mg and placebo, respectively. Pool of Placebo- and Active-C
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 7: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with INVOKANA UGT Enzyme Inducers Clinical Impact: UGT enzyme inducers decrease canagliflozin exposure which may reduce the effectiveness of INVOKANA. Intervention: For patients with eGFR 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater, if an inducer of UGTs is administered with INVOKANA, increase the dosage to 200 mg daily in patients currently tolerating INVOKANA 100 mg daily. The total daily dosage may be increased to 300 mg daily in patients currently tolerating INVOKANA 200 mg daily who require additional glycemic control. For patients with eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , if an inducer of UGTs is administered with INVOKANA, increase the dosage to 200 mg daily in patients currently tolerating INVOKANA 100 mg daily. Consider adding another antihyperglycemic agent in patients who require additional glycemic control [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Examples: Rifampin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ritonavir Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues Clinical Impact: The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when INVOKANA is used concomitantly with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin. Intervention: Concomitant use may require a lower dosage of the insulin secretagogue or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Digoxin Clinical Impact: Canagliflozin increases digoxin exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Intervention: Monitor patients taking INVOKANA with concomitant digoxin for a need to adjust the dosage of digoxin. Lithium Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of an SGLT2 inhibitor with lithium may decrease serum lithium concentrations. Intervention: Monitor serum lithium concentration more frequently during INVOKANA initiation and dosage changes. Drug/Laboratory Test Interference Positive Urine Glucose Test Clinical Impact: SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion which will lead to positive urine glucose tests. Intervention: Monitoring glycemic control with urine glucose tests is not recommended in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Use alternative methods to monitor glycemic control. Interference with 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) Assay Clinical Impact: Measurements of 1,5-AG are unreliable in assessing glycemic control in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Intervention: Monitoring glycemic control with 1,5-AG assay is not recommended in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Use alternative methods to monitor glycemic control. See full prescribing information for information on drug interactions and interference of INVOKANA with laboratory tests. ( 7 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS INVOKANA is contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to INVOKANA, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) and Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2) ] . Serious hypersensitivity reaction to INVOKANA ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.