Canagliflozin and Itching: What Users Say

• Sug...
• May 8, 2014

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "Taking Invokana for 3 months now. My glucose readings are great. Have to stop taking this miracle medicine though, because I've had a relentless feminine itch since I started it. I've been suffering through it because it works so well and I can't take Metformin or Onglyza. Decided I can't take the itching anymore, AND MY HAIR IS STARTING TO FALL OUT. When I comb my hair I get a huge handful every time. I've never lost more than a few hairs at a time before. I sure hope this doesn't continue. Don't have much more to spare! I'm also starting to hurt in the kidney area. Going back to see my doctor."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2013

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I was prescribed Invokana in combination with metformin. I have been itching ever since, and my hair is falling out to the point where I am scared to comb my hair. I stopped taking both medications. It has been a little over a month, and my hair is still falling out. Is anyone else experiencing any hair loss?"

• Reb...
• June 17, 2015

Canagliflozin 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."

• JSg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2017

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "Took Invokana about 9 months. Glucose numbers were great. Started getting horrible yeast infection. It would not go away even with prescription medication. The itching started vaginal and anal area. I was miserable. No type of medication would eradicate the itching. Infection got so bad my good white blood cells could not fight off the infection in my body. Started feeling weak, extremely thirsty, eating so much ice my ice machine could not keep up with me. Started coughing a lot, short of breath, anemic. Body aches, dry hair and skin, plus I still had the yeast smell. Had blood test performed at the local hospital. White blood cell count was 247 thousand, normal is 10 thousand. Diagnosis: cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia, my blood got infected."

• Jay...
• December 16, 2014

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking this medication for about two weeks now and notice that my levels in the morning have dropped from 170 to 118. But the side effect now is itching in the penis area. Will consult with the MD to stop taking it if the itching continues."

• Piz...
• July 26, 2015

Canagliflozin 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."

• AEi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2016

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I felt good on Invokana, my A1C was reduced, and I lost weight. My doctor was pleased. I would have been too if it weren't for the horrible yeast infection that simply would not go away, even with several different meds, including diflucan (sp?). It was so painful and itchy that I could not concentrate on anything other than that. I stopped taking it and went back to glipizide."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2016

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Invokana for about a year and a half now after taking 1000 mg of Metformin daily and Levemir and Humalog daily. The Metformin and insulin were not working as well as Dr. wanted them to, so I was switched to the extended-release Metformin 1000 mg twice a day and added Invokana 100 mg. I have since been able to go completely off of the two insulin pens, and my sugars have been in the normal range. I have lost a little bit of weight, but I have developed a horrible itch and yeast infection that will not go away. I was given Diflucan a while ago, but it didn't help. I have also recently noticed that I have been losing a ton of hair. I literally get handfuls of hair after a shower and am pulling handfuls out of my brush every time I brush."

• bra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2017

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on this medication for a little over 1 month. In the beginning, the side effects took a while to get used to - water.. water.. water... I am still constantly thirsty. I was itchy in the beginning, but it has gotten better. I have lost about 17 pounds and feel sooo much better!!!! I have to admit I read through the reviews before I even started the medication and was very hesitant - I am so glad that I gave it a try. This has been a life changer so far."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2016

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "Started off on this drug August 2 of this year at 100 mg. Within 10 days, was being treated for severe dehydration. Increased fluid intake, and dosage was upped to 300 mg. Now in October, glucose numbers are down to normal, have lost 38 lbs, but side effects are unbearable. Severe itching, leg and hand cramps all night long, and yeast infections are too frequent. Tired all the time. I agree it works, but at what cost? Miserable diabetic! I'm not going to take it anymore. I'm done fighting!"

• Pic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2017

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on 100 mg Invokana (as well as glyburide, metformin, and Lantus) for about 6 months. That was until yesterday. I took myself off the Invokana, as I can no longer tolerate the side effects. While I am used to putting up with moderate side effects if a drug is working well, the initial yeast infection followed by a constantly increasing severe case of vulvovaginitis was enough for me. The itching and pain were so severe that I couldn't sleep. I informed my doctor of my decision today, and we are waiting to see whether/when my symptoms decrease. Considering my experience and the new black box warning on Invokana, I will never take it again."

• MsG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "Where do I start? I have been on Invokamet SR for about 2 months, diabetes 2. I've developed vaginal discharge, nausea daily, extreme diarrhea daily, itchy skin. Today was the final straw. It irritated my stomach so bad, I didn't make it to the restroom. I have no social life while taking these pills. I don't even care about the weight loss."

• C J...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2017

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Invokana for two weeks. After the first day, I started to itch. I ran out and bought Monistat 7. After that, I returned to the doctor a day later and found that I had lost 6 lbs! Since that time, I have lost an additional 10 lbs. I know that this will not continue for long, but I am excited. I am utilizing MyFitnessPal to track my calories, I am eating a well-balanced diet. I am adding exercising bit by bit since I have issues with my lungs. I am excited and hopeful that I can soon be off of all medications. I take 2000 mg of metformin a day, 5 mg of glipizide, and 100 mg of Invokana every day. My levels are great now. I did have horrible stomachaches until yesterday."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2018

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Invokana for a year and a half. Lost 20 lbs, bringing me down to my ideal weight. I started to experience extreme vertigo, tinnitus, itchy skin, extreme mood swings, and anxiety. My MRI, CAT scan, X-rays, blood work, everything was normal. My doctor took me off it, and I am remarkably better. Going for follow-up blood work this week. I am currently unmedicated, and my blood sugars seem to be running between 5-8."

• Ble...
• February 12, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Regarding the yeast infection, I spoke to the diabetic nurse, and she advised me to wipe using wet wipes rather than dry toilet tissue. She also advised wiping once in one direction and binning the wipe. This itchiness is an effect of the sugar being deposited in the urine."

• LP1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2015

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "My side effects are: weight gain, vaginal yeast infection, tired, itching skin, increased hunger, dry mouth, cloudy urine, increased thirst, breathing difficulty, sweats, 2 months."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

Canagliflozin for Type 2 Diabetes "I have only been on Invokana for 2 days, and I instantly have a major rash from head to toe, and my face is swollen. It itches and burns. Not a great pill for me."