Key takeaways
Invokana (canagliflozin) and Onglyza (saxagliptin) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and belong to different drug classes. 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. Onglyza, on the other hand, is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that works by blocking a protein that breaks down hormones responsible for insulin production, allowing insulin to stay in the body longer. Invokana is only available as a brand-name medication, while Onglyza is available in a lower-cost generic form. Invokana is taken once daily before the first meal, whereas Onglyza can be taken at any time of day, with or without food and once daily. Invokana has additional benefits like reducing the risk of heart and kidney problems, but it also carries risks such as genital infections and potential amputations. Onglyza has a lower risk of causing low blood sugar and weight gain but may increase the risk of heart failure in some individuals.
