Key takeaways
Invokana (canagliflozin) and metformin are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways. Invokana is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps lower blood sugar by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar, which is then excreted through urine. Metformin, on the other hand, is a biguanide that reduces sugar production in the liver, decreases sugar absorption in the gut, and improves the body's response to insulin. Invokana is taken once daily before the first meal, while metformin is usually taken once or twice daily with food to minimize stomach upset. Invokana is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas metformin is available in both brand and generic forms. Invokana can increase the risk of genital infections and amputations, while metformin can cause stomach issues like diarrhea and nausea and has a rare risk of lactic acidosis. Both medications can be used alone or together to achieve better blood sugar control.
