Objective: There are limited data about the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors when used with insulin. We report the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin.
Research design and methods: The CANagliflozin CardioVascular Assessment Study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that randomized participants to placebo, canagliflozin 100 mg, or canagliflozin 300 mg once daily, added to a range of therapies. The primary end point of this substudy was the change in HbA1c from baseline at 18 weeks among patients using insulin; 52-week effects were also examined.
Results: Individuals receiving insulin at baseline were randomized to receive placebo (n = 690), canagliflozin 100 mg (n = 692), or canagliflozin 300 mg (n = 690). These individuals were 66% male and had a median age of 63 years, mean HbA1c of 8.3% (67 mmol/mol), BMI of 33.1 kg/m(2), estimated glomerular filtration rate of 75 mL/min/1.73 m(2), fasting plasma glucose of 9.2 mmol/L, and a median daily insulin dose of 60 IU. Most individuals were using basal/bolus insulin. Reductions in HbA1c with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg versus placebo were -0.62% (95% CI -0.69, -0.54; -6.8 mmol/mol [95% CI -7.5, -5.9]; P < 0.001) and -0.73% (95% CI -0.81, -0.65; -8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI -8.9, -7.1]; P < 0.001) at 18 weeks and -0.58% (95% CI -0.68, -0.48; -6.3 mmol/mol [95% CI -7.4, -5.2]) and -0.73% (95% CI -0.83, -0.63; -8.0 mmol/mol [95% CI -9.1, -6.9]) at 52 weeks. There were significant falls in fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure at both time points and there was a greater incidence of hypoglycemia, genital mycotic infections, and hypovolemia with both canagliflozin doses.
Conclusions: Canagliflozin added to insulin therapy improved glycemic control and decreased body weight. There was a greater frequency of several anticipated side effects, although few led to discontinuation of treatment.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01032629.
© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.