Key takeaways
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and canagliflozin (Invokana) are both medications in the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class, used to manage Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. They also help reduce the risk of heart and kidney problems in people with diabetes. However, there are some differences between them. Dapagliflozin is approved for use in children 10 years and older, while canagliflozin is only for adults. Dapagliflozin is available in both generic and brand-name forms, whereas canagliflozin is only available as a brand-name medication. The typical starting dose for dapagliflozin is 5 mg once daily, while canagliflozin starts at 100 mg once daily. Both medications can cause urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination. Both medications should be taken with caution if you are on other diabetes medications, as this can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
