Invokana and Frequent Urination: What Users Say

• Eev...
• May 31, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "Very happy with this new medicine. Seems to control my blood sugar better than other medications. I also take 2000mg of Glucophage a day and 100mg of Invokana. After the first month, the maintenance dosage is 300mg once a day. Been on this medication for 3 weeks now. I have already lost 5 pounds! Urination is more frequent during the day though. Make sure you drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. I did notice some acne showing up on my face. Not sure if this is a side effect or not? Other than that, this is a miracle! Controlled blood sugars and weight loss! The first year is only $5.00 a month with the prescription card the manufacturer gives you."

• Mol...
• April 22, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I take metformin (1000 twice a day) and have been on Invokana 300 for 3.5 months. In the first two months on Invokana, lost 14 lbs and A1C dropped from 10.5 to 7.1. In the last 6 weeks, lost another 8 lbs (now under 200 lbs for the first time in years) and can't wait to see my next A1C! Haven't had any of the serious side effects described by others, no yeast infections. Definitely thirsty and frequent urination but absolutely worth it for the weight loss and the way I'm feeling. My appetite has decreased and my energy level has significantly increased. I swam 11 miles this week! This medication has completely changed my life and I appreciate the 12 months of free medication coupon."

• dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I just started taking Invokana exactly 2 weeks ago. I have lost 4 lbs so far (great). My fasting sugars went from 274 down to 206 (nice improvement so far). I still need to get them under 100 though, and I feel the longer I take this medication, the more improvement I will see. The only side effect so far is the frequent urination, which is caused by dehydration. This makes me drink more water, of course, but since that is the only issue I have, I really can't complain. I personally think this new medication is a 'winner'."

• Red...
• September 14, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Metformin 1000 mg twice a day and 70 units of Lantus insulin. I started Invokana and immediately lost 5 lbs. After a few months on the same dose, I have lost about 15 lbs. Yes, I admit there are some side effects, such as frequent urination and some yeast issues. However, this is to be expected. Being on this medication, we are told we need to drink over 100 ounces of water every day. I agree and then some. It keeps things flowing, but this is the way it works. I have no GI issues from this medication, however, Metformin does cause some GI issues when skipping a dose or two. Remember, too, that this-or any-medication is not for everyone. We need to try different ones to find the one that's right for our body. I think I have found mine!"

• and...
• June 21, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Invokana for two years. I never lost weight on it; however, my A1c had finally gone to normal after 20 years of being a diabetic. However, I had to stop taking it today after I put two and two together about the symptoms I am having: hair loss, severe muscle and joint pain, severe muscle cramps and contractions of legs at night that I would literally cry, and hands cramping and contracting day and night; frequency and urgency to urinate (I unknowingly peed in bed several times and peed on myself during the day uncontrollably); brain fog, severe tiredness; constant yeast infection; bladder infections; constant thirst; and eye infections when I never had them before. This medication needs to go off the market. Pray for me!"

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Liked it because it lowered my blood sugar. Hated it because of all the side effects. Would urinate at least 2-3 times an hour constantly, was dying of thirst, mouth dry, yeast infections were the worst I have ever had."

• Reb...
• June 17, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started taking 100 mg daily at night, numbers came down in a week. Went to see the doctor in a month, he was happy, then he prescribed 300 mg daily. Soon after taking this dosage, I began to experience an itching on my penis, and it was driving me crazy. I also experienced more frequent urination along with an insatiable thirst. I was about to schedule an appointment with my urologist until I Googled 'side effects of Invokana.' The itching wouldn't stop, I didn't know that there were these side effects from this medication, and even though it helped bring down my sugar levels, I really don't think it's worth the other problems it presents. I too have experienced weight loss. It is a good medicine, but the side effects aren't worth it. Sorry."

• Pga...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Invokana three months ago. Noticed slight headache after taking it, increased urination, lowered A1c. Slowly, over a period of time, two months, I noticed increasing fatigue, weakness. Eventually, this affected daily activity, I can’t even begin to describe how exhausted I became. Stopped taking the drug, and within two days, strength and stamina have begun to increase."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Doctor gave me a month's worth of samples to get my sugar readings down. After 3 weeks, they have dropped quite a bit (200+ down to 130-140). Livable side effects: MUCH more frequent urination, extreme thirst, and chapped lips & hands. Doctor faxed a prescription yesterday, my insurance told me the cost would be $595. This is more than all my other medications cost me for the whole year! No generic is available. I canceled the order. Can't afford it."

• Sou...
• September 3, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "The general side effects of dehydration and urination aside, those were not my problem. Fatigue was the issue. I was on 100 mg to start and noticed after six weeks a decrease in mental acuity -- missing things I might not otherwise, more forgetful. My dose was increased to 300 mg and all I wanted to do was sleep. Went back down to 100 mg, but the exhaustion continues. Time to try something else."

• Rev...
• August 3, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I found this drug to be quite problematic for me. It caused such severe dehydration after shifting to the 300 mg dosage that I could not get through a night's sleep without awakening to excruciatingly painful leg and foot cramps that thoroughly awakened me. I would also awake at night and in the morning, feeling as if someone had poured sand in my eyes. Even my eyes were dehydrated. I attempted to address the dehydration by drinking as much as a gallon and a half of water per day, with a lot of water before bedtime. Constant urination (of course!). No real effect on my glucose readings. Prior to starting Invokana, I had started a no sugar/starch diet and returned to daily exercise, which brought my numbers down more than Invokana."

• Piz...
• July 26, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Thought this medicine was great at first, but after going to a 300 mg dose, got yeast infections, terrible itching, and burning. Tried all the suggested ideas, probiotics, washing more, baby wipes, drinking more water, Vaseline, Monistat, but to no avail. Would clear up for a few days and start up again. Just could not stand it any longer. While I could eat slightly more carbs, only lost about 10 lbs after 5 months, and then it seemed like when I did eat carbs, my sugar went up and stayed up until I ate my next meal before going down. A1c only went from 7.9 to 7.8 after three months on the higher dose. Also had terrible dry mouth and frequent urination. Just unsure of this medication."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "My blood sugars were constantly in the 250 to 300 range. I experienced a burning sensation in my stomach and stomach pain and discomfort constantly. I had extreme thirst. My fluid intake doubled, I was drinking approximately 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of fluid a day with frequent urination. Finally, my stomach discomfort reached such a high level that I had to stop taking the medication. My blood sugars were still in the upper 200 and lower 300 range as well, so I thought the medication was ineffective as well, and as my side effects were no longer tolerable."

• TnD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on Invokana/Metformin (Invokamet) for less than a week, and my experience has been terrible. I expected to have to urinate more, but I am experiencing an insatiable thirst with the need to urinate almost hourly, which is extremely disruptive to daily activities. Even after less than a week on the medication, I am having constant genital itching. But the final straw for me was an exacerbation of my neuropathy. My legs, from the knee down, burn so severely that I cannot sleep. I am done with this and have decided to stop taking it completely. If this is working for you, that's great, but I just cannot tolerate the side effects."

• TV ...
• April 23, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "My blood sugar went from 280-300 to around 200, so I didn't get my desired results. Also, I had extreme thirst, constant urination, every 1 1/2 to 2 hours at night and eventually not much urine coming out. Then the constipation set in and made me so miserable that I discontinued the medication after 3 weeks to get some relief. It's been 4 days and everything is back to normal. High readings, but no thirst, urination, or constipation. It wasn't worth the side effects. Also, my insurance company wouldn't pay for it, so it cost $400.00 for a one-month supply. Then the doctor's office gave me a card that was supposed to make it only cost $25.00 a month, but I guess I'll never know."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Initially, I steadily lost weight and felt good. Increased thirst, so drinking more, thus urinating more. Then genital itching began, slight and tolerable. After 4 months, my gums became sensitive. Itching increased in the genital area, and after trying to tolerate it for 8 months, I developed excoriation with bleeding in the vulvar area. I have been off of this medication for several weeks now. Two rounds of Diflucan later, I am still trying to get excoriations to completely heal. I even got yeast in my belly button. A1C did go down a full point, and the weight loss is great, but the side effects are horrible. My gums are still a mess. I never had gum disease before and have been diabetic for well over 11 years. I cannot find much information about the gum problems... anyone else have this problem? Hope I can get it under control, it is miserable."

• gra...
• December 14, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Invokana 100 mg daily in addition to Metformin took my blood sugar levels way down. Never over 150s range. Lost weight without trying. Main side effect was constant urination, about every hour. Great med other than that."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been diagnosed with type 2 for about 17 years. Started out with diet and exercise, then pills, then insulin once a day, then twice a day, now four times a day. Started 100 mg Invokana about two months ago. Yes, more urination, no yeast infections, cut my insulin in half, numbers are much better, but a recent blood test has shown triglycerides have almost tripled. Still on 100 mg, but will probably have to come off, which really sucks."

• Bre...
• July 12, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was just recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was started on Invokana 100 mg. Since just starting it, I haven't really had any real reactions to it just yet. But I have found myself having to urinate much more often than normal. I have other medical issues and hope this medication won't affect those issues negatively."

• Gas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've only been a known diabetic type 2 for 6 months now. I take Janumet, Invokana. The only side effect I have is frequent urination and lots of gas and really loud sounds of digestion. Anyone else?"

• Pet...
• December 3, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "This drug is making me pee constantly; it's really intolerable. I checked my urine...indeed now positive for sugar. But this is the symptom most diabetics seek treatment for!"