Efficacy and Safety of Canagliflozin in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus Inadequately Controlled on Triple Drug Therapy.

Objective: Canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has been associated with HbA1c reduction and weight loss in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This analysis evaluated changes in HbA1c and body weight in patients who were inadequately responding to maximum dose of three oral hypoglycemic agents and reluctant to take insulin therapy.

Methods: In this open label interventional single arm study, patients aged 18 to 65 years (N=118) received Canagliflozin 100 mg for in addition to an ongoing triple drug oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) regimen for a period of 12 weeks. The said population was inadequately responding to maximum dose of three oral hypoglycemic agents and was reluctant to take insulin therapy. Percent change from baseline in HbA1c and body weight was evaluated in the study.

Results: Canagliflozin 100 mg additional dose above a triple OHA provided significant HbA1c reduction by 1.9% and weight reduction by 3.01kg over 12 weeks from baseline. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with 2.54% of the patient population reporting Urinary tract infection (UTI) who were withdrawn from study and given appropriate treatment.

Conclusion: Canagliflozin 100 mg (One tablet) administered to patients in addition to the inadequately controlled triple drug OHAs who were reluctant for an insulin therapy provided a significant reduction in HbA1c and body weight over 12 weeks. Canagliflozin a SGLT 2 inhibitor is a promising new drug in patients with T2DM in patients who are inadequately controlled on triple therapy and are reluctant to insulin therapy.