Canagliflozin and Pain: What Users Say

• Les...
• June 3, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Invokana for about 6 months now. It helps with my sugars, but the vaginal itching is so intense I thought I was going to have a mental breakdown! I've been off it for almost a week now, and still the itching won't go away! In fact, it's worse. After reading some stories here, I now know that it's also probably the reason I've been itchy everywhere, which in turn has caused me to scratch so much, and I've got cuts everywhere! Plus, I never had the extreme numbness and pain in my feet until I started using it! Calling the doctor in the morning because this is all scaring the crap out of me!!!! DON'T USE THIS DRUG!"

• Lin...
• October 13, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been trying to keep on this medication, but I don't think I can. Dr. prescribed 100 mg for 1 week, then 300 mg. Within 2 weeks, I had my very first ever (I'm 58) yeast infection. My privates were inflamed and very painful. Took OTC yeast meds. I called the Dr. office, and he reduced it back down to 100 mg. Now about 10 days later, I have fissures in my vulva. Dr. assistant insists that I don't use toilet paper to wipe after urination, but those new wipes that have been out for a few years. I tried most of them, but even the baby wipes are very heavily perfumed. So I bought unscented, sensitive skin baby wipes. They are better, but my skin is still too sensitive for them. Lots of other side effects. I'm not doing well on this med."

• Aba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been a type 2 diabetic for 22 years. I started on Invokana 150 mg bid along with 1000 mg Metformin bid in 2016. My A1C was stuck around 8.0, and I was dehydrated with very poor skin turgor. In spite of my concerns about dehydration, my ARNP increased the Invokana to 300 mg bid. I experienced a 14 lb weight loss, and A1C dropped from 8.0 to 6.9. I was pleased, however, the dehydration got worse, and I began to experience peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs that became increasingly painful over the next few months... when my feet turned bluish-purple... I stopped taking the Invokana. The pain and discoloration subsided after about 3 weeks. I was on the higher dose for approx 9 months."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Invokana for about 3 weeks at 100 mg. Within 2 weeks, I had a yeast infection and generally had an ill body feeling. I was jumped up to 200 mg, and in approx 2 weeks, I had swelling in both armpits, legs, and pains all over my body. I stopped and started this drug 3 times, and every time I tried to, the same swelling in my armpits and arms. We had no idea if it was the drug or underlying health conditions. Due to swelling in the armpit and pains, my doctor screened me for cancer, as it runs in the family. All STDs and meningitis all came back negative. Every time I stopped this medication, I felt better. Felt so lethargic and pain in my arms and back. Will never take it again. Ever!!!!!"

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

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."

• Ini...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on 100 mg, and on day 2, was running to the bathroom with sudden urgency. After 2 weeks, I started experiencing pain in both armpits and upper arms, along with a yeast infection. Stopped and waited a week and retried taking. Same symptoms, only worse. Not worth it to me."

• Ash...
• February 3, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "NOT if it was the last diabetic drug left on earth! I never had any body pain till I went on to this medication. I had stopped and started it four times. Each time, the body pain and lymph nodes were swollen. I was screened for HIV, all other STDs 4 times in one year, as well as cancer screening to see if that is what was causing my lymph nodes to go into overdrive. Nothing was found, so every time I took the pill, my body would try and fight it. It caused so much. I had 3 yeast infections, and it absolutely destroyed all mucous membranes to drastically thin and tear... this is a horrible pill!!!"

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

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."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lower BP great. Feet feel tighter (neuropathy). Gums hurt bad, like an infection. Headaches. Was good at first, but after about a month, issues started. Doing blood test and going to stop meds to see if everything goes back to normal again."

• MBK...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was put on Invokana by my diabetic doctor for just under a year. This summer, I was visiting my husband's family on Vancouver Island. I should say I had been having rather a lot of pain in my vagina for a few weeks before the visit. The day after arriving, the next morning, I could hardly walk, the pain was so severe. I went into town with my husband and his sister and visited a health/wellness store, where I bought some Cranberry Complex and a tube of Canesten for internal use. It did solve the pain to a degree. However, the continuous pain and soreness were not going away. I made an appointment with my GP on my return home. He took a swab and said to continue with the Cranberry Complex and Canesten. As I can see my results online, I noted there was no infection. Both my doctors suggested that I stop taking Invokana. I have been off it for two months, and I must say it has taken this long for the pain and irritation to go away/stop. This is not a drug for me. 100 mg once a day."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Watch out for sore, red penis. It's a yeast infection because yeast thrives on sugar that is passing in your urine."