European approval for diabetes drug canagliflozin expected

Patients with type 2 diabetes in Europe could soon be given a new oral drug treatment option, with the expected approval of canagliflozin.
Canagliflozin (Invokana) is a member of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors class of type 2 diabetes drugs, which help reduce blood glucose levels by preventing the reabsorption of glucose from the kidneys back into the blood so that more glucose is excreted in the urine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a positive opinion on canagliflozin last week and formal approval of the drug is expected within 60 days.
Canagliflozin is recommended for use as a once-daily standalone treatment in adults with type 2 diabetes who are unable to control their blood glucose adequately through diet and exercise alone, or through the use of metformin medication.
It is also recommended as an add-on therapy with insulin and other glucose-lowering agents when these, combined with diet and exercise, fail to provide adequate glycemic control.
If approved, canagliflozin will become the second SGLT2 inhibitor to be approved in Europen, following last year’s approval of dapagliflozin (Forxiga).