Invokana for Diabetes: Kidney Benefits and Risks You Should Know

What Is Invokana?

Invokana is the brand name for canagliflozin, a prescription medication used to help manage type 2 diabetes.

It belongs to a class of medications collectively called SGLT2 inhibitors.

This type of medication works a bit differently from older diabetes meds.

Those more traditional treatments usually work by increasing insulin production or improving insulin sensitivity.

Invokana takes a bit of a different route. It works through the kidneys.

Invokana Type 2 Diabetes: How, Exactly, Does It Work?

To understand why Invokana is different from many traditional diabetes medications, it helps to understand how the kidneys normally handle glucose.

Under normal circumstances, the kidneys filter glucose from the bloodstream and then reabsorb most of it back into circulation.

A protein called SGLT2 plays a major role in this reabsorption process.

Invokana works by blocking SGLT2.

When this protein is inhibited, the kidneys allow more glucose to leave the body through urine rather than returning it to the bloodstream.

This can help:

Why Invokana Is Different From Older Diabetes Medications

Invokana’s benefits might extend beyond just blood sugar control.

Which may be for the best – and is in line with more modern diabetes management protocols.

While blood sugar management remains extremely important, healthcare providers now recognize that diabetes affects multiple organ systems, particularly:

As a result, many treatment decisions now consider how a medication may influence long-term complications, not just A1C levels.

This shift is one reason medications like Invokana have become increasingly important in diabetes care.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is one of the most common long-term complications of type 2 diabetes.

Over time, as a person lives with diabetes, their elevated blood sugar levels can damage their delicate blood vessels and the complex filtering structures inside the kidneys.

When this happens, a diabetic’s kidneys may gradually become less effective at removing waste and excess fluid from the body.

This, as you may imagine, has a world of unhelpful downstream ramifications.

The Very Helpful Kidney Benefits of Invokana

Diabetic kidney disease develops gradually, often over many years. In its early stages, patients may not notice any symptoms at all.

As kidney damage progresses, however, it can lead to serious complications, including:

How Invokana May Help Protect the Kidneys

Researchers have found that certain SGLT2 inhibitors, including Invokana, may help slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease in appropriate patients.

While the exact mechanisms are complex, experts believe several factors contribute to these benefits … including:

Heart and Cardiovascular Benefits of Invokana

Kidney disease is not the only serious concern associated with type 2 diabetes.

People with diabetes also face an increased risk of:

Because cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of illness and death among people with diabetes, doctors will now prescribe treatment plans with an eye on heart health in addition to blood sugar control.

So, rather than asking only, "Will this lower glucose?" healthcare providers now ask:

For some patients, Invokana may actually contribute to these broader treatment goals.

What About Invokana Side Effects?

Like all medications, Invokana can cause side effects.

Fortunately – at least for diagnosis purposes – many of the most common Invokana side effects are related to the way the medication works.

Since Invokana helps remove glucose through urine, you might expect side effects to involve changes in urinary function.

You’d be right.

Frequently reported Invokana side effects include:

Glucose can create an environment that makes certain infections more likely. Since Invokana removes glucose from the body through the urinary system, urinary and genital infections can be more likely.

(If you do get these infections, talk to your doctor to see if there’s anything you can do to mitigate these.)

Why Increased Urination Happens

Increased urination (while on Invokana) occurs because the medication encourages the body to eliminate excess glucose through the kidneys.

As glucose leaves the body, water often follows.

This results in relatively predictable symptoms.

After starting Invokana, you might notice that you experience…

For many people, these effects are manageable.

Here’s something else you’ll need to manage while on Invokana, though:

Your hydration levels.

Drinking enough fluids will help support your overall health and may reduce the likelihood of dehydration-related complications.

Serious Invokana Risks Patients Should Understand

Many people tolerate Invokana well.

But, two things can be true: There are some important risks that should be discussed before a person starts treatment with Invokana.

These risks don’t result in immediate danger for everyone who takes Invokana, and there are ways to mitigate them as long as you know they’re coming!

In rare cases, people who take Invokana may suffer from …

Dehydration and Low Blood Pressure

Because Invokana increases urinary glucose excretion, it can also increase fluid loss.

In some patients, this may contribute to:

The risk for these ailments is higher in some patient populations than others. For example, if you (or your loved one) is an:

… Staying adequately hydrated is going to be an extremely important part of your treatment.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

One of the most serious potential risks associated with SGLT2 inhibitors is something called diabetic ketoacidosis (or, as you might see it abbreviated, DKA).

DKA is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones. (Ketones are chemicals produced by your liver when your body breaks down fat for energy.)

Symptoms of DKA may include:

If these symptoms are sounding familiar, it’s time to call for emergency medical treatment at once.

Kidney-Related Considerations

Doctors prescribe Invokana partially due to its kidney benefits, but here’s the thing:

You need to have a certain amount of kidney health in order for the medication to be appropriate for you.

As your doctor is determining which medication to treat you with, they’ll evaluate your kidney function. (And, if you take Invokana, they’ll monitor your kidney function on an ongoing basis.)

What About The Amputation Warning?

Invokana does have a history of amputation-related safety warnings.

This (unsurprisingly) led to quite a bit of unpopularity for this drug among healthcare professionals and patients alike.

While today, that stark warning has become a bit more nuanced due to more research and regulatory review of the situation, it’s still something that doctors consider when prescribing.

Today, before recommending the drug, healthcare providers will consider patient risk factors such as:

For many patients, the benefits of treatment with Invokana may still outweigh the risks. Being aware that the risks exist, though, can help with your mitigation strategy and ongoing monitoring tasks.

Who May Not Be a Good Candidate for Invokana?

Not every diabetes medication is appropriate for every patient.

As your doctor is figuring out whether Invokana will help you reach your health goals, they’ll also help you determine if you simply aren’t a good candidate for this medication.

To do so, they’ll carefully evaluate your:

This individualized approach helps everyone feel confident that treatment decisions are tailored to the patient's specific needs.

Invokana Price and Cost Considerations

Like many newer diabetes medications, Invokana can be (very) expensive.

Invokana prices can also vary fairly widely from store to store, or region to region.

There are a few reasons for that. Between ever-changing and wildly-different-between-different-people-and-places insurance coverage, pharmacy prices, copay requirements, and other factors, it’s often hard to know exactly how much you’ll be paying for this drug.

And, of course, since type 2 diabetes is often managed for many years (or even decades!), medication cost can play an important role in treatment decisions.

Some patients may find that insurance significantly reduces out-of-pocket expenses.

Others, depending on their plan, may still face very, very high costs even after coverage kicks in.

Fortunately, if you’re looking for ways to save, you’re already in the right place.

Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy brand Invokana for around $3.00 per pill – savings of up to 87% when compared to typical United States prices for this drug. The generic available through us is still much less than that!

Questions to Ask Before Starting Invokana

Before you start taking Invokana, it’s helpful to make sure you have the right information.

You’re already in the right place for that, too – but it’s important to remember that your own doctor is the best resource you can have for this type of decision and process. Asking your doctor as many questions as feels helpful during your appointment will help you feel confident about your treatment.

Here’s a quick list of questions you might consider asking:

Have Any Further Questions About Balancing Invokana's Benefits and Risks? We’re Here to Help

Invokana has become one of the most discussed medications in modern diabetes care because its potential benefits extend beyond lowering blood sugar. For the right patients, it can also boost kidney health – but it does so at a price.

And that price is, partially, its actual cost. Invokana prices can be shockingly high.

Purchasing your Invokana through an international and Canadian online pharmacy website, though, can defray that price considerably.

Once you have a valid, updated prescription for Invokana, you can upload that prescription here and access your brand-name diabetes medication for less. If you have any questions at all, our pharmacists and team of friendly, proactive customer service professionals would be more than happy to assist.

We, here at NorthWestPharmacy.com, look forward to supporting you as you work toward your treatment goals.