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Compare Invokana vs. Afrezza

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Invokana (canagliflozin) and Afrezza (insulin human) are both medications used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways. Invokana is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken orally once a day to help lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of heart and kidney problems in these individuals. Afrezza, on the other hand, is an ultra rapid-acting insulin inhaled at the start of meals, used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Invokana and Afrezza are only available as brand-name medications. Invokana can cause side effects like urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Afrezza may lead to low blood sugar and cough, and is not suitable for people with lung issues like asthma. Both medications can be used with other diabetes medications, but blood sugar monitoring is recommended because of the increased risk of low blood sugar.

  • 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
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults
    •Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Invokana vs. Afrezza

    Pros and Const for SGLT2 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Only taken once a day
    •Can use alone or together with other diabetes medications
    •Dose can be adjusted based on how well the medication is working for you
    Cons
    •Only available as brand only
    •Might raise the risk of genital infections or bone fracture
    •Not recommended in second and third trimesters of pregnancy
    •Unknown if safe or works well in people on dialysis
    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •A good choice for people who don't want to use injectable insulin
    •Can help people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar
    •Starts to work in about 12 minutes and lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your dose
    Cons
    •Might need to use more than one cartridge of insulin for your dose (if you need more than 12 units of insulin)
    •Not for people who smoke or for people with breathing problems (e.g., asthma, COPD)
    •Not approved for children

  • Common Side Effects of Invokana vs. Afrezza

    Common Side Effects for
    •Vaginal yeast infection in females (11-12%)
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs; 4-6%)
    •More urination (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar (up to 67%)
    •Cough (up to 29%)
    •Throat pain or irritation (up to 6%)
    •Headache (up to 5%)

  • Warnings of Invokana vs. Afrezza

    Common Side Effects for
    •Leg and foot amputations
    •Ketoacidosis
    •Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)
    •Genital and urinary tract infections
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Bone fractures
    Common Side Effects for
    •Breathing problems
    •Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Changes in blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
    •Diabetic ketoacidosis
    •Low potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications

  • Prices with our coupons for Invokana vs. Afrezza

    Learn more about Invokana
    Learn more about Afrezza

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