Canagliflozin/Metformin (By mouth)

kan-a-gli-FLOE-zin, met-FOR-min hye-droe-KLOR-ide

Treats type 2 diabetes.

Drug classes

Antidiabetic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Canagliflozin and metformin combination is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with a proper diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels.

Canagliflozin works in the kidney to prevent absorption of glucose (blood sugar). This helps lower the blood sugar level. Metformin reduces the absorption of sugar from the stomach, reduces the release of stored sugar from the liver, and helps your body use sugar better. It does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetic patients must use insulin injections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in the original container to protect it from moisture. Do not put the tablets in a pill box or pill organizer. Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how canagliflozin/metformin works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:

Acetazolamide, amiloride, cimetidine, dichlorphenamide, digoxin, morphine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, rifampin, ritonavir, topiramate, triamterene, trimethoprim, vancomycin, zonisamide Insulin or other diabetes medicine Blood pressure medicines Diuretic (water pill)

Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.

Several other medicines may affect your blood sugar levels. Closely monitor your blood sugar levels when you start or stop another medicine while you are using canagliflozin/metformin.

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Heavy alcohol use increases your risk for lactic acidosis.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to canagliflozin or metformin.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal or pituitary gland disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, a vitamin B12 deficiency, or a history of pancreas problems or genital yeast or urinary tract infections. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Lactic acidosis (rare but serious build-up of acid in the blood) Low blood pressure Ketoacidosis (high ketones and acid in the blood) High potassium levels Low blood sugar levels Increased risk of genital yeast or urinary tract infections Increased risk for broken bones

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results. This medicine may affect the results of urine glucose tests or interact with the dye used for an x-ray or a CT scan.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Change in how much or how often you urinate, trouble urinating, painful or difficult urination, lower back or side pain, fever, chills

Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, numbness in your hands, feet, or lips

Fast breathing, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, severe weakness, tiredness

Increased hunger, headache, confusion, shaking, trembling, sweating

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Redness, itching, pain, or swelling of the penis, bad-smelling discharge from the penis

White or yellow vaginal discharge, vaginal itching or odor

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Invokamet

There may be other brand names for this medicine.