Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Invokana (canagliflozin)
Afrezza (insulin)
Invokana (canagliflozin)
Afrezza (insulin)
Summary of Invokana vs. Afrezza
Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
Prescription only
Invokana (canagliflozin) is a medication that's used together with a healthy diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lessen the chance of worsening heart and kidney problems in some people with Type 2 diabetes. This medication is taken by mouth once a day.
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
Afrezza is an ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin for adults with diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels from meals. You breathe in the medication through the mouth using the Afrezza inhaler usually at the start of meals. Common side effects are low blood sugar and cough. There's also a risk of bronchospasm (sudden narrowing of the airways), which can make it hard to breathe. So Afrezza (insulin) isn't for people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Indications of Invokana vs. Afrezza
Indications for
•Type 2 diabetes
•Lowering the risk of major heart events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
•Lowering the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, death due to heart problems, and worsening of kidney problems in certain adults with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease