Canagliflozin: a novel treatment option for type 2 diabetes

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 A(1c) 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.