Since 2013, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Canagliflozin for used to lower blood suger in adult with type 2 diabetes by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine. It is belongs to a class of drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

The CANVAS (Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study) and CANVAS-R (A Study of the Effects of Canagliflozin on Renal Endpoints in Adult Participants With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) showed an increased risk of lower limb amputations associated with Canagliflozin use. Moreover, the risk may be higher for those who have peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy (nerve damage), or diabetic foot ulcers (sores), or who have a history of prior amputations.

Let your physician know if you develop new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers, or infections in your legs or feet and do not stop or change your diabetic medicines without first talking to your prescriber.

For any enquiries please contact your physician.

By Jidapa Arjhansiri, M.D.