First-in-Class Drug for Type 2

By Diane Fennell On March 29, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the diabetes drug Invokana (generic name canagliflozin) for use, in conjunction with a healthful diet and physical activity, in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is the first drug in a new class of medicines known as sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. In the process of filtering the blood, the kidneys typically reabsorb all the filtered glucose and return it to the bloodstream. One of the main proteins responsible for this reabsorption is SGLT2. By inhibiting the action of SGLT2, Invokana blocks the reabsorption of glucose by the kidneys, promoting a loss of glucose in the urine and lowering blood glucose levels. The recommended starting dose of the drug is 100 milligrams daily, taken before the first meal of the day. In certain people requiring increased blood glucose control, the dose can be increased to up to 300 milligrams daily. The safety and effectiveness of the medicine were established through nine clinical trials, involving more than 10,285 people with Type 2 diabetes, that showed improvements in fasting blood glucose levels and A1C levels (a measure of blood glucose control over the previous 2–3 months) in those taking Invokana. Clinical trials also showed a reduction in body weight and systolic blood pressure (the top number) in people using the medicine. The FDA is requiring five trials of Invokana once it is on the market, including one focusing on cardi...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs