Canagliflozin tablets for diabetes

About canagliflozin

La insulina es una hormona que se produce de forma natural en el páncreas. Ayuda a controlar los niveles de azúcar (glucosa) en sangre. Si el organismo no produce suficiente insulina para cubrir sus necesidades, o si no utiliza eficazmente la insulina que produce, se produce la diabetes de tipo 2 (diabetes mellitus).

People with diabetes need treatment to control the amount of sugar in their blood. This is because good control of blood sugar levels reduces the risk of complications later on. Some people with type 2 diabetes can control the sugar in their blood by making changes to the food they eat and by doing more exercise. For other people medicines like canagliflozin are given alongside changes in diet.

Canagliflozin works on your kidneys to increase the amount of sugar that your body removes in your urine. You may be prescribed it to take on its own, or with other antidiabetic medicines. Canagliflozin is available in combination with another antidiabetic medicine called metformin. The combination is called Vokanamet®.

Due to its protective effects on the kidneys, canagliflozin can also be used to treat kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will give you more advice about treatment of these conditions.

Before taking canagliflozin tablets

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking canagliflozin it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de los riñones o del hígado.

• Si tiene la tensión arterial baja (hipotensión).

• If you have heart or blood vessel disease or have had a stroke.

• Si tiene problemas de infecciones de orina repetidas.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take canagliflozin tablets

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about canagliflozin tablets and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking them.

• Take canagliflozin exactly as your doctor has told you to. The usual starting dose is one 100 mg tablet daily. Your dose may be increased to 300 mg once daily if you have tolerated the lower dose well.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water - it is best taken just before your first meal of the day. Try to take your dose at the same time of day each day. This will help you to remember to take it.

• If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember as long as it is more than 12 hours before your next dose is due. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose but remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together or on the same day to make up for a forgotten dose.

• If you have been prescribed a combination tablet of canagliflozin with metformin (Vokanamet® brand) you should take one tablet twice a day. Take the tablet after you have eaten a meal or with a snack, as this will reduce the chance of an upset stomach. There are several strengths of Vokanamet® tablet available - each with different amounts of canagliflozin or metformin. You will be prescribed the strength of tablet that fits with your current canagliflozin dose.

• If you forget to take a dose of Vokanamet® take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose in which case miss out the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Continue to take canagliflozin regularly - treatment for diabetes is lifelong.

• Es importante que acuda regularmente a las citas médicas y clínicas. Así podremos controlar su evolución. Es probable que necesite revisiones periódicas en una clínica oftalmológica y podológica, así como con su médico y la clínica de diabetes.

• Su médico le recomendará que se haga análisis de azúcar en sangre con regularidad para comprobar que su diabetes está controlada. Su médico o enfermera especializada en diabetes le enseñarán cómo hacerlo.

• Because of the way canagliflozin works, testing for sugar in your urine will always show that it is present. This makes urine testing unreliable.

• Si es usted conductor, debe tener especial cuidado, ya que su capacidad de concentración puede verse afectada si su diabetes no está bien controlada. Asegúrese de saber lo que se siente cuando el nivel de azúcar en sangre es bajo. Es lo que se conoce como hipoglucemia.

• Los primeros síntomas de hipoglucemia son: temblores o ansiedad, sudoración, palidez, sensación de hambre, palpitaciones y mareo. Si esto ocurre, debe comer o beber algo que contenga azúcar o tomar un tentempié inmediatamente. Es aconsejable comprobar los niveles de azúcar en sangre antes de realizar viajes largos y llevar un tentempié.

• Es posible que los conductores del Reino Unido tengan que informar a la Agencia de Licencias de Conducir y Vehículos (DVLA) si sufren un episodio de hipoglucemia grave o experimentan una "hipoglucemia" mientras conducen. Pida consejo a su médico. Los conductores de otros países deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia de licencias de vehículos correspondiente.

• Si su médico le ha aconsejado hacer cambios en la dieta, dejar de fumar o hacer ejercicio con regularidad, es importante que siga sus consejos.

• Consulte a su médico antes de realizar cualquier ejercicio físico nuevo, ya que tendrá un efecto sobre sus niveles de azúcar en sangre y es posible que deba controlar sus niveles sanguíneos con mayor regularidad.

• It is important for you to take care of the skin on your lower limbs and to report any sores or signs of infection to your doctor. Taking medicines like canagliflozin may make you slightly more likely to experience sores or ulcers on your feet and legs. If an ulcer is left untreated and gets worse it may put you at risk of amputation.

• Drinking alcohol while you are on canagliflozin will affect the control of your blood sugar and can increase the risk of complications with your treatment. Ask your doctor for advice about what limits are recommended for you.

• Canagliflozin is likely to make you pass more urine. If you get unusually thirsty or feel very tired then let your doctor know as your dose may need adjusting.

• It is important that your body does not lose too much water (become dehydrated) whilst you are being treated with canagliflozin. Ask your doctor for advice on the recommended amount of fluids you should be drinking each day. Signs that you are becoming dehydrated include: dry or sticky mouth, passing little or no urine, a fast heartbeat, feeling very sleepy or feeling confused.

Can canagliflozin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with canagliflozin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store canagliflozin tablets

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos