About Invokana Canagliflozin
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
Invokana Canagliflozin belongs to a group of diabetes medications are known as gliflozins and goes by the generic name Canagliflozin.
How will Invokana Canagliflozin help?
Type 2 diabetes treatment is best when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
Note: Patients with type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes will not get help with it.
How will Invokana Canagliflozin treat type 2 diabetes?
Invokana Canagliflozin processes and removes blood sugar through the urine, thus reducing the amount of sugar in the blood. Usually, the kidney helps to absorb sugar from food into the blood. Invokana belongs to the gliflozin family of diabetes drugs. This drug blocks the kidney’s ability to absorb sugar into the blood. As a result, all extra sugar excretes through your urine. The medication also makes the drug user urinate more frequently, which helps your body eliminate more blood sugar.
How to take Invokana Canagliflozin?
It is ideal for taking Canagliflozin at the same time every day, before your first meal. Swallow the tablet with water.
Invokana Canagliflozin Dosage
The recommended starting dose is 100 mg orally daily, with or without food. Your doctor may adjust the dosage to 300 mg. Before initiating Invokana (Canagliflozin), assess and correct volume status in patients with renal impairment, elderly patients, or patients on loop diuretics. If you forget to take your medication on time, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take two doses close to each other. If the time for the subsequent dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosage routine. To make up for a missed dose, do not combine doses.
Note: Do not alter the medication your doctor has prescribed if you find something different from the ones listed here. It would be best if you took this medication strictly as your doctor has advised.
Warnings and Precautions while using Invokana Canagliflozin
- Do not use INVOKANA for glycemic control in (certain conditions applied).
- INVOKANA is contraindicated in patients on dialysis.
- Do not use Invokana Canagliflozin for treating type 1 diabetes
- Do not use Invokana Canagliflozin for treating those with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood or urine).
Do not take Invokana Canagliflozin if you:
- Have a Invokana Canagliflozin allergy or hypersensitivity,
- Possess type 1 diabetes (a disease in which your body produces no insulin).
- Have diabetic ketoacidosis or have had it in the past.
- Have severe kidney issues, or you are on dialysis.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you:
- Are using a diuretic – referred to as a water pill.
- Take medication for high or low blood pressure and either condition.
- Older 65 years of age.
- Have renal conditions.
- Are using other drugs to lower blood sugar – insulin, glyburide, gliclazide, or glimepiride (sulfonylureas)
- have hepatic issues.
- Have cardiac issues.
- Have a sensitivity to some milk sugars (Containing lactose).
- Are expecting a child, or you are planning a pregnancy.
- Are breastfeeding
- Have urinary infection
According to recommendations, patients under 18 should not use Invokana because their urine will test positive for excessive sugar levels (glucose). Additionally, taking this drug raises your chance of breaking a bone. Discuss the potential causes of your increased risk of bone fractures with your doctor.
Invokana Canagliflozin side effects
Some general side effects are:
- Vaginal yeast infection – symptoms include vaginal odor, yellow or white vaginal discharge, and itching.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – when the drug is used along with sulfonylurea drugs (such as glimepiride, gliclazide, and glyburide) or insulin.
Note: The symptoms of low blood sugar can include trembling, sweating, blurred vision, tingling lips, pale skin, changes in mood, or feeling anxious or confused.
- Changes in urination, such as
- more frequent,
- more significant amounts,
- an urgent need to urinate,
- need to urinate at nighttime.
- Balanitis – a yeast infection of the penis.
- Urinary tract infection – burning sensation when urinating, cloudy urine, and strong odor.
- Feeling thirsty.
Uncommon side effects include:
- Dehydration- water deficiency in the body. Symptoms can include fainting, feeling dizzy or light-headed, low blood pressure, very dry or sticky mouth, feeling very thirsty, feeling weak or tired, passing very little or no urine, and a fast heartbeat.
- Hives (raised red patches on the skin).
Discuss with your doctor any adverse side effect that bothers you or does not go away. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.
