Canagliflozin - something new for type 2 diabetes, but is it safe and efficacious?

Abstract

Introduction: Inhibition of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), to promote the excretion of glucose, is a new paradigm in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Areas covered: Canagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor, which has been the subject of two recent clinical trials, which are evaluated.

Expert opinion: Studies with canagliflozin, in subjects with type 2 diabetes, have shown that its use is associated with reductions in HbA1c and body weight and small reductions in blood pressure and triglycerides, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. As monotherapy in Japanese subjects, or in comparison with glimepiride in CANTATA-SU (CANagliflozin Treatment and Trial Analysis versus SUlphonylurea), canagliflozin causes a low incidence of hypoglycemia, and this is an advantage over glimepiride. However, one of the disadvantages with canagliflozin, which was also highlighted in CANTATA-SU, is that canagliflozin can cause urogenital infections, which are not observed with other antidiabetic drugs. The Federal Drug Administration has recently approved canagliflozin for use in type 2 diabetes, while directing that a clinical outcome safety trial be undertaken. We are concerned that canagliflozin has been approved for use in type 2 diabetes prior to a clinical outcome study of efficacy being undertaken and without the outcome of further safety testing.