Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i3.399
Revised: April 3, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Processing time: 145 Days and 12.8 Hours
Canagliflozin (CFZ) is a member of new class of glucose lowering agents, sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors, which got approval by food and drug administration. It has insulin independent action by blocking the transporter protein SGLT2 in the kidneys, resulting in urinary glucose excretion and reduction in blood glucose levels. In clinical trials, CFZ significantly decreased HbA1c level when administered either as monotherapy or as combined therapy with other anti-diabetic drugs. Intriguingly, it showed additional benefits like weight reduction and lowering of blood pressure. The commonly observed side effects were urinary and genital infections. It has exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles even in patients with renal and hepatic damage. Hence, this review purports to outline CFZ as a newer beneficial drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Core tip: This review article focuses upon the current pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and clinical trial data on the newly introduced sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, canagliflozin, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It also discusses briefly about the safety profile and future prospective of canagliflozin.