Canagliflozin: “new class” of diabetes drug approved in the U.S., and under review in Canada

Canagliflozin -- the once-a-day oral pill  -- belongs to a “new class” of diabetes medication has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 29, 2013. The drug's mode of action is in the kidneys to inhibit sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). 

"After glucose is filtered from the blood into the kidneys, canagliflozin suppresses SGLT2 transporters from carrying the glucose back into the blood. Instead, the glucose is diverted and released into the urine. This effectively pushes excess blood glucose out of the body via the kidneys and urinary tract."

Canagliflozin is currently pending approval by Health Canada.

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Source: Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (www.cmaj.ca). June 3, 2013.