NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Canagliflozin

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

Canagliflozin was the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the United States for type 2 diabetes. The CANVAS trial demonstrated cardiovascular benefits, and the CREDENCE trial showed significant renal protective effects. However, canagliflozin carries a unique signal for increased lower-limb amputation risk that is not shared by other SGLT2 inhibitors.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2014–2025
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Canagliflozin was the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the United States for type 2 diabetes. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 100–300 mg once daily before the first meal (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • Lowers HbA1c by 0.6–1.0%
  • Cardiovascular event reduction (CANVAS)6,2
  • Significant renal protection (CREDENCE: 30% RRR for renal composite)7,2
  • Weight loss (2–4 kg)
  • Blood pressure reduction
What to watch for
  • Genital mycotic infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Increased urination
  • Severe renal impairment (eGFR <20 mL/min)6,7
  • Dialysis

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: lowers hba1c by 0.6–1.0%, cardiovascular event reduction (canvas), significant renal protection (credence: 30% rrr for renal composite). 10 sources indexed (2014–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Inhibits sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the proximal renal tubule, reducing renal glucose reabsorption and causing glycosuria. At higher doses, canagliflozin also partially inhibits SGLT1 in the intestine, which may contribute to additional postprandial glucose lowering. Promotes osmotic diuresis, natriuresis, weight loss, and blood pressure reduction.6,7

Class
SGLT2 Inhibitor
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
100–300 mg once daily before the first meal (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Oral tablet

Take before the first meal of the day. Can be taken with or without food.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Genital mycotic infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Increased urination
  • Volume depletion and hypotension
  • Lower limb amputations (increased risk observed in CANVAS)
  • Bone fractures (increased risk)
  • Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (rare)
  • Fournier gangrene (very rare)

Contraindications

  • Severe renal impairment (eGFR <20 mL/min)6,7
  • Dialysis
  • Known hypersensitivity to canagliflozin1,2
  • Type 1 diabetes5,6
  • Patients at high risk for amputation (peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, prior amputation)3
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

1

Randomized controlled trials

2

Reviews & position papers

2

Reference material

5
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Canagliflozin, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Canagliflozin?

Canagliflozin was the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the United States for type 2 diabetes. The CANVAS trial demonstrated cardiovascular benefits, and the CREDENCE trial showed significant renal protective effects. However, canagliflozin carries a unique signal for increased lower-limb amputation risk that is not shared by other SGLT2 inhibitors.

What is Canagliflozin used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Canagliflozin include: Lowers HbA1c by 0.6–1.0%; Cardiovascular event reduction (CANVAS); Significant renal protection (CREDENCE: 30% RRR for renal composite); Weight loss (2–4 kg); Blood pressure reduction. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Canagliflozin?

A typical adult dose of Canagliflozin is 100–300 mg once daily before the first meal (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Canagliflozin?

Reported side effects include genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, increased urination, volume depletion and hypotension, lower limb amputations (increased risk observed in canvas), bone fractures (increased risk). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Canagliflozin?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Canagliflozin in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.