Canagliflozin: a novel treatment option for type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Eric Dietrich,1 Jason Powell,2 James R Taylor2 1University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, 2University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, Gainesville, FL, USA Abstract: Type 2 diabetes continues to be a challenging disease to manage. The addition of new agents with a positive risk–benefit ratio could potentially assist clinicians and patients in achieving adequate diabetes control. Canagliflozin, the first sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor presently available on the market, offers a unique mechanism of action: it inhibits renal reabsorption of glucose, thereby increasing urinary glucose excretion. It reduces hemoglobin A1c by approximately 0.37%–1.16%; it also reduces the patient's weight and systolic blood pressure and has a low risk for hypoglycemia. Adverse effects include an increased risk of urinary tract infections and genital mycotic infections. In this manuscript we review canagliflozin and its potential role in management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Keywords: canagliflozin, SGLT2 inhibitor, type 2 diabetes, oral hypoglycemic