(BPT) - Did you know at least one out of every three people in the United States will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime? Approximately 27 million people across the country are living with this condition.[i] Knowing the facts about diabetes is the first step in creating an effective management plan, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.[ii] Take this time to learn more about type 2 diabetes and to take action to achieve management goals.

Simple techniques, like being mindful of one’s “ABCs,” are keys to succeeding with diabetes management:[iii]

A1C: Monitor A1C, or blood sugar, levels and work with a doctor to set a target goal.[iv]

• Every percentage point drop in A1C can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications by 40 percent.[v]
• For people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends most adults maintain an A1C of 7 percent or below. Lifestyle modification and taking prescribed medications can help.[iv]

Blood pressure: Check blood pressure regularly and take steps to address high blood pressure, or hypertension.[vi]

• A study showed blood pressure control in people with type 2 diabetes can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events by 50 percent.[vii]
• Lifestyle changes, like choosing low-sodium foods, can help reduce blood pressure to healthy levels less than 120/80 mmHg.[vi]

Cholesterol levels: Stay on top of cholesterol by testing at least once every five years or at a frequency determined by your doctor.[viii]

• Eating a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and making time for exercise can help improve cholesterol levels.[viii]

According to the American Diabetes Association, having the right information and support can help one live well with diabetes and maintain healthy ABCs.[iii] After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Julie was proactive in seeking out information to help manage the condition. “Being a nurse, I knew how important it was to work with my doctor to create a treatment plan,” says Julie. “Learning more about my condition helped me gain confidence to keep my diabetes in check,” she added. Julie’s fact-finding and working with her doctor reinforced the importance of diabetes management, and pointed her towards INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin).

INVOKANA^® is a once-daily oral therapy used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA^® has been proven to significantly lower A1C in adults with type 2 diabetes. In most clinical trials, the majority of people taking INVOKANA^® reached an A1C goal of less than 7.0, a goal recommended by the American Diabetes Association. INVOKANA^® works with the kidneys to help adults with type 2 diabetes lose some sugar through the process of urination. Although it’s not for weight loss or blood pressure management, in clinical trials INVOKANA^® was also shown to reduce body weight and systolic blood pressure, and was generally well tolerated. The most common side effects of INVOKANA^® include genital yeast infections, urinary tract infection, and changes in urination.[ix]

“INVOKANA^® has kept me on track with my diabetes management, along with exercise and a balanced diet,” says Julie. “Gaining knowledge and control of my health measures including my A1C and blood pressure has helped me come to love my numbers.”  

It is also important to stay up-to-date on coverage allowed by insurers and health plans for prescribed medications. Formulary coverage of INVOKANA^® is expanding rapidly, with preferred access for 80 percent of Commercial and Medicare Part D patients in the United States.[x]

Visit www.INVOKANA.com to learn more about diabetes management including treatment with INVOKANA^® and Julie’s story.

WHAT IS INVOKANA^®?

INVOKANA^® is a prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA^® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in blood or urine). It is not known if INVOKANA^® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INVOKANA^® can cause important side effects, including:

• Dehydration (the loss of body water and salt), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure, take medicines to lower your blood pressure (including diuretics [water pills]), are on a low sodium (salt) diet, have kidney problems, or are 65 years of age or older
• Vaginal yeast infection. Women who take INVOKANA^® may get vaginal yeast infections. Symptoms include: vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (discharge may be lumpy or look like cottage cheese), or vaginal itching
• Yeast infection of the penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis). Men who take INVOKANA^® may get a yeast infection of the skin around the penis. Symptoms include: redness, itching, or swelling of the penis; rash of the penis; foul-smelling discharge from the penis; or pain in the skin around penis

Talk to your doctor about what to do if you get symptoms of a yeast infection of the vagina or penis.

Do not take INVOKANA^® if you:

• are allergic to canagliflozin or any of the ingredients in INVOKANA^®. Symptoms of allergic reaction may include: rash; raised red patches on your skin (hives); or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis

Before you take INVOKANA^®, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems; liver problems; pancreas problems; are on a low sodium (salt) diet; are going to have surgery; are eating less due to illness, surgery, or a very low calorie diet; ever had an allergic reaction to INVOKANA^®; drink alcohol very often (or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term); or have other medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if INVOKANA^® will harm your unborn baby. It is also not known if INVOKANA^® passes into your breast milk.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take diuretics (water pills), rifampin (used to treat or prevent tuberculosis), phenytoin or phenobarbital (used to control seizures), ritonavir (Norvir^®, Kaletra^® – used to treat HIV infection), or digoxin (Lanoxin^®– used to treat heart problems).

Possible Side Effects of INVOKANA^®

INVOKANA^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood or urine) can happen with INVOKANA^®, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL. Stop taking INVOKANA^® and call your doctor right away if you get any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, tiredness, or trouble breathing
• Kidney problems, a high amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take INVOKANA^® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you take INVOKANA^®
• Serious Urinary Tract Infections: may lead to hospitalization and have happened in people taking INVOKANA^®. Tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection such as: burning feeling while urinating, need to urinate often or right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis), or blood in the urine. Some people may also have high fever, back pain, nausea, or vomiting

Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, or feeling jittery.

Serious allergic reaction. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking INVOKANA^® and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Broken Bones (fractures): Bone fractures have been seen in patients taking INVOKANA^®. Talk to your doctor about factors that may increase your risk of bone fracture.

The most common side effects of INVOKANA^® include: vaginal yeast infections and yeast infections of the penis; urinary tract infection; or changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC at 1-800-526-7736.

Please see Medication Guide for important INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin) product information.

Canagliflozin is licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.

Trademarks are those of their respective owners.

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[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Snapshot of Diabetes in the United States, 2014. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/diabetes-infographic.pdf. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[ii] American Diabetes Association. “Are You At Risk.” http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/ Accessed October 26, 2015.

[iii] American Diabetes Association. “Healthy ABCs.” February 25, 2015. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/heart-disease/healthy-abcs. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[iv] American Diabetes Association. “A1C and eAG.” September 29, 2014.http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/a1c/. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[v] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[vi] American Diabetes Association. “High Blood Pressure.” September 24, 2014. http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/bloodpressure.html. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[vii] NaRCAD. “Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.” 2013. http://www.narcad.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/NaRCAD_Diabetes_UnAd_final_2.25.pdf. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[viii] American Diabetes Association. “All About Cholesterol.” August 25, 2015. http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/cholesterol.html. Accessed October 26, 2015.

[ix] INVOKANA (canagliflozin). “Prescribing Information.” September, 2015. https://www.invokana.com/prescribing-information.pdf. Accessed October 28, 2015.

[x] Data on file. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Titusville, NJ.

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