canagliflozin

What is the most important information I should know about canagliflozin?

What is canagliflozin?

Canagliflozin is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Canagliflozin is also used to lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.

Canagliflozin is also used to reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease and hospitalization or death from heart problems in adults who also have kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

Canagliflozin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Canagliflozin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking canagliflozin?

• severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Canagliflozin may increase your risk of lower leg amputation, especially if you have had a prior amputation, a foot ulcer, heart disease, circulation problems, or nerve damage.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• a diabetic foot ulcer or amputation;
• circulation problems or nerve problems in your legs or feet;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• bladder infections or other urination problems;
• a pancreas disorder;
• if you drink often, or drink large amounts of alcohol;
• if you are eating less than usual; or
• if you are on a low salt diet.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during each trimester.

How should I take canagliflozin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Canagliflozin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using canagliflozin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking canagliflozin?

What are the possible side effects of canagliflozin?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• little or no urination;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• new pain, tenderness, sores, ulcers, or infections in your legs or feet;
• high potassium --nausea, irregular heartbeats, weakness, loss of movement;
• ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood) --nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing; or
• dehydration symptoms --dizziness, weakness, feeling light-headed (like you might pass out).

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using canagliflozin. Talk with your doctor about how to avoid the risk of fractures.

Side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• genital infections; or
• urinating more than usual.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect canagliflozin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• insulin or other oral diabetes medicines;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• digoxin, digitalis;
• rifampin;
• ritonavir; or
• seizure medication --phenobarbital, phenytoin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect canagliflozin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about canagliflozin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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