Canagliflozin is used with a proper diet and exercise
program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve
problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Canagliflozin is
also used by people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease to lower the
risk of death from heart attack or stroke. Canagliflozin is also used by
people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease to lower the risk of
dialysis, death from heart disease, and the need to go to the hospital for
heart failure. Canagliflozin works by increasing the removal of sugar by
your kidneys.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking canagliflozin and each time you get a refill. If
you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually once daily before the first meal of the day. The dosage is
based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other
medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist
about all the products you use (including prescription drugs,
nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse (your blood sugar is too high or too
low).
Frequent urination, unusual dry mouth, dizziness, and
lightheadedness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell
your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get
up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of bladder infection (such as fever, urgent urination,
burning/pain when you urinate)
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine, swelling legs/feet)
- signs of high level of potassium in the blood (such as muscle
weakness and slow/irregular heartbeat)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- unusual tiredness
- nausea/vomiting
- stomach/abdominal pain
- trouble breathing
This medication may cause a new yeast infection in the
vagina or the penis. It may also cause a rare but very serious bacterial
infection in the genital/anal area (Fournier's gangrene). Tell your doctor
right away if you have signs of a yeast infection in the vagina (such as
unusual vaginal discharge/burning/itching/odor) or in the penis (such as
redness/itching/swelling of the penis, unusual discharge from the penis).
However, get medical help right away if you have any pain/redness/swelling
in or around the genital/anal area, along with a fever or feeling
unwell.
Canagliflozin does not usually cause low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar may occur if this drug is prescribed with
other diabetes medications, or if you do not consume enough calories from
food, or if you do unusually heavy exercise. Symptoms of low blood sugar
include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision,
dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose
tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable
forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source
of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or
non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use
of this product. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular
schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to
find out what you should do if you miss a meal.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include
increased thirst/urination. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right
away. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise
program, or diet.
Canagliflozin may rarely increase the risk of losing a
lower limb. This risk may be greater in people who have a history of heart
disease, blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease), nerve
problems (neuropathy), foot ulcers, or previous loss of limbs. Talk to your
doctor for more details. Tell your doctor right away if you have any
pain/tenderness/redness/swelling/sores on your legs and
feet.
This medication may cause you to become dehydrated. This
can lead to serious kidney damage. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you are not able
to drink fluids as usual, or losing fluid (such as due to vomiting,
diarrhea, or heavy sweating). Also, tell your doctor right away if you have
any signs of dehydration, such as urinating less than usual, unusual dry
mouth/thirst, fast heartbeat, or
dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting.
Canagliflozin may cause some bone loss, or even a broken
bone. Lifestyle habits that help promote healthy bones include
weight-bearing exercises, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating
well-balanced meals that contain adequate calcium and vitamin D. You may
also need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Talk to your doctor
for specific advice.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Side Effects section.
Before taking canagliflozin, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- kidney disease
- disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- dehydration
- use/abuse of alcohol
- low blood pressure
- heart failure
- mineral imbalances (such as high levels of potassium)
- history of yeast infections in the vagina or penis
You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or
drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you
are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Limit alcohol while taking this medication because it
can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar and a high ketone
level.
It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your
body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery).
Also, if you are eating less or not able to eat due to these conditions or
any illness, this can lead to a high ketone level while you are taking this
medication. Consult your doctor because this may require a change in your
treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar or ketone
testing.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially dizziness/fainting (usually when standing),
dehydration, or some bone loss.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and
benefits with your doctor.
Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan
with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor
may change your diabetes treatment during your pregnancy (such as diet and
medications including insulin).
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol,
propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the
fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls
too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as
dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are unaffected by these
drugs.
Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder
to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with
your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood
sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results
with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high
or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need
to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or
diet.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as urine glucose test), possibly causing false test results. Make
sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this
drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Attend a diabetes education program to learn more about
how to manage your diabetes with medications, diet, exercise, and regular
medical exams.
Learn the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and how
to treat low blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as
directed.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure,
mineral levels including potassium, cholesterol tests, kidney function,
fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, ketones, bone density) may be done
before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it. Keep
all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).