Real world study shows Invokana (canagliflozin) superior to DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes- Janssen Pharma

Results of a new analysis of data from real-world clinical practice show that, in adults with type 2 diabetes, use of the once-daily oral medication Invokana (canagliflozin), from Janssen Pharma, is associated with significantly greater improvements in blood glucose control compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, a common class of medicines for type 2 diabetes that includes Januvia (sitagliptin).

The new real-world findings, the first to compare the effectiveness of a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor with DPP-4 inhibitors, were published in Current Medical Research & Opinion. The analysis, based on data from U.S. health plans, evaluated the glycemic control of people with type 2 diabetes treated with Invokana versus DPP-4 inhibitors over a period of nine months. Of the 1,439 people with type 2 diabetes and available A1C values included in the analysis, those treated with Invokana had a mean reduction in A1C of 0.92 percent compared to baseline, versus a mean reduction of 0.63 percent among those treated with a DPP-4 inhibitor (p < 0.001).

Additionally, a significantly greater percentage of patients taking Invokana achieved treatment goals of A1C less than 8 percent and less than 7 percent. Similar results were observed in a post-hoc analysis of those treated with Invokana versus the DPP-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin. A1C, or hemoglobin A1C, is used as a measure of average blood glucose over the past two to three months.