How Effective is Invokana, Know its Dosage, Side Effects

Invokana otherwise known as canagliflozin is an effective medicine to help control blood sugar levels and is an oral diabetes medicine. Invokana or canagliflozin helps kidney to effectively get rid of the excess glucose from bloodstream.

Along with the intake of invokana or canagliflozin you should also perform regular and take appropriate to improve blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

If you are facing allergic reaction to canagliflozin do not use this medicine. Also do not have it if you have, Kidney diseases or if you are on regular or irregular dialysis treatment.

If you have ever had any of these health conditions, tell your doctor. This is to make Invokana safe for you:

• Liver ailment
• Blood circulation conditions
• Urination problems or bladder infections
• Kidney disease
• If you are having a low salt diet
• High cholesterol levels
• An electrolyte imbalance
• Amputation or diabetic foot or ulcer
• Nerve conditions caused by diabetes
• If you are taking diabetes medicines or taking insulin.

If you are on dialysis or have other severe kidney disease, do not use invokana or canagliflozin. This medicine is not to treat type 1 diabetes. It is not known if invokana is dangerous for unborn baby. It is important to tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant at the time of consultation.

Similarly, it is unknown if invokana or canagliflozin passes through breast milk to a nursing baby. Do not breast feed while on invokana or canagliflozin.

Invokana or canagliflozin is not to be used for anyone below 18 years old.

First Dosage: 100 milligrams once a day orally.

Maximum Dosage: The dosage of invokana or canagliflozin can be increased to 300 milligrams once a day orally for patients with eGFR of 60ml/min/1.73 m2 or greater and 100mg with tolerating therapy that requires control of glycemic.

Patients with eGFR less than 45ml/min/1.73 m2 should not be treated with this medicine as it will not be effective.

If invokana or canagliflozin is taken along with the combination of insulin secretagogue or insulin, only lower dosage of insulin secretagogue or insulin has to be taken in order to reduce hypoglycemia risk.

Invokana or canagliflozin in adults is used as an addition to exercise and proper diet to develop glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Invokana or canagliflozin is taken once a day. It is important to follow the instructions mentioned in the label and package. There are chances of your physician altering your medicine dosage to help you get better results. Only take the medicine as prescribed by the physician, do not take smaller or larger amount.

The medicine invokana or canagliflozin is taken one time in a day and before the very first meal.

There are chances of you experiencing low blood pressure while taking invokana or canagliflozin. If you are facing reactions such as diarrhea, vomiting, or unusual sweating, call your doctor for help. Drink more water or other fluids while having this medicine.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) might be experienced with those suffering from diabetes. Here are few of the symptoms that are experienced such as hunger, irritability, headache, feeling anxious, nausea, sweating, fast heart rate. In order to treat low blood sugar quickly you can take a fast acting source of sugar such as raisins, hard candy, non-diet soda, fruit juice etc.

Your doctor will also give you an emergency injection while experiencing low blood sugar when you cannot drink or eat. It is important for your family members or friends living with you to know how to give you this injection at the time of emergency.

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar symptoms are blurred vision, tiredness, increased urination, increased thirst, and headache.

There are also various other reasons that can affect blood sugar level such as illness, alcohol use, exercise, stress, or even skipping meals. It is important to ask your physician before changing your insulin schedule or dosage.

Invokana is a part of a complete treatment program that involves weight control, diet, regular blood sugar testing, exercise, and special care. While taking this medicine it is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you are facing allergic reaction to invokana or canagliflozin, get immediate help. Allergic reactions such as swelling of lips, face, throat, tongue, difficult breathing, and hives are seen in some patients.

Also call your doctor for immediate assistance if you are facing these below mentioned severe side effects of invokana or canagliflozin:

• Burning or pain while urinating
• Tenderness, ulcers, new pain, sores in your feet or legs
• Light headed feeling like passing out
• Any symptoms of genital infection (vagina or penis) like, burning, swelling, discharge, odor, pain, itching
• Kidney complications- swelling in your ankles or feet, little or no urination, breath shortness, tiredness
• High potassium – weakness, unusual heart rate, slow heart rate, nausea, loss of moment
• Symptoms of dehydration – heavy sweating, unable to urinate, feeling thirsty or hot, dry skin are also severe side effects of invokana or canagliflozin.
• Ketoacidosis (increased acid level in blood) – stomach pain, unusual drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, nausea, trouble breathing

While taking invokana or canagliflozin there are more chances of you having bone fractures even after minor impact trauma. You need to talk to your physician on how to avoiding these risks in life during the medication process. Older adults might experience more side effect than people of younger age.

Some of the most usual side effects of invokana or canagliflozin are:

• Unusual urinating
• Genital infections.