Compare Invokamet vs. Actos

Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Invokamet is a combination of two medications: canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide. It helps lower blood sugar by causing your body to get rid of excess sugar through urine and by reducing sugar production in the liver. Actos, on the other hand, is a thiazolidinedione that improves your body's ability to use insulin. Invokamet is available only as a brand-name medication, while Actos has a generic form called pioglitazone. Invokamet is taken either twice daily or once daily, depending on the formulation, whereas Actos is taken once daily. Invokamet can cause side effects like urinary tract infections and genital infections, while Actos may lead to weight gain, fluid build-up, and an increased risk of bladder cancer. Additionally, Invokamet can lower the risk of major heart events and kidney problems, whereas Actos can raise "good" cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.