A Clinical Perspective of Canagliflozin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-world efficacy and safety of the first sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, canagliflozin, in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This observational study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of canagliflozin in T2DM patients. Primary study outcomes were changes in HbA1C and weight, and percentage of patients reporting adverse effects of therapy. RESULTS: The study criteria were met by 111 patient records. Baseline patient characteristics were: average age, 59 ± 9 years; mean duration of T2DM, 11.9 ± 7.3 years; 57.6% of patients were male; 92.8% were Caucasian; baseline BMI, 38.9 ± 11 kg/m(2); and mean baseline HbA1C, 7.53 (58.8 mmol/mol) ± 1.08%. HbA1C and weight were significantly reduced by 0.37% and 4.4 kg, respectively. Adverse effects were reported by 21 patients, and 17 (15.3%) discontinued canagliflozin because of adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated and significantly reduced HbA1C levels and body weight in patients with T2DM when added to a regimen of other anti-hyperglycemic agents.