Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin) Tablets

Invokamet is a prescription oral medication that combines canagliflozin and metformin to help manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. It is typically used along with diet and physical activity, and may be part of a broader diabetes treatment plan. This page summarizes how the medicine works, key safety points, and practical details for filling a prescription.

What Canagliflozin/Metformin Is and How It Works

This medicine combines an SGLT2 inhibitor (a kidney glucose reabsorption blocker) with metformin, a biguanide (an insulin-sensitivity medicine). It explains common factors that influence Invokamet price for a given prescription, alongside core safety and handling points. Ships from Canada to US access may be relevant for some patients using cash-pay and without insurance. Prescription details may be confirmed with the prescriber when required.

Canagliflozin works by reducing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, which increases glucose excretion in urine and can also lower blood pressure through mild fluid loss. Metformin primarily reduces glucose production in the liver and improves the body’s response to insulin. In practice, the combination targets fasting and after-meal glucose through different pathways, which is why dosing, kidney function checks, and symptom monitoring are discussed together on most labels.

Who It’s For

This medication is generally prescribed for adults with Type 2 Diabetes when a clinician determines a dual-ingredient oral option is appropriate. It may be used when metformin alone is not enough or when an SGLT2 inhibitor is being added to a regimen. Treatment decisions commonly consider A1C trends, kidney function, gastrointestinal tolerance, and other cardiometabolic risks.

It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes and is not a treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). People with certain kidney problems, metabolic acidosis (including DKA), or known allergy to an ingredient may not be candidates. Clinicians also weigh pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations, older age, dehydration risk, alcohol use, and situations that increase the chance of low blood pressure or kidney stress. For broader context, browse the Diabetes Category to see related non-insulin options.

Dosage and Usage

Only a prescriber can select the dose and schedule. Many regimens start at a lower metformin component to reduce stomach upset, then adjust based on tolerability and lab monitoring. This combination is often taken with food to improve gastrointestinal comfort and reduce certain side effects. If a dose is missed, standard labeling typically advises taking the next dose at the usual time rather than doubling up, but the pharmacy label should be followed.

Kidney function (often estimated by eGFR) is checked before starting and periodically during therapy, because both ingredients have kidney-related considerations. Tell the care team about planned imaging that uses iodinated contrast dye, since metformin-containing products may need temporary interruption around the procedure. For a broader overview of how oral therapies are scheduled and monitored, see Oral Diabetes Medication.

Immediate-release vs extended-release formulations

Some prescriptions are written for immediate-release tablets and others for extended-release (XR) tablets. XR products are designed to release medicine more slowly, which can change the daily schedule and how the tablet should be taken. XR tablets are typically swallowed whole; crushing or splitting may affect release characteristics. Immediate-release products may be taken more than once daily depending on the prescription. The exact schedule and meal timing should match the prescriber’s directions and the dispensing label.

Strengths and Forms

This product is available as standard tablets and as extended-release tablets. Availability can vary by dispensing pharmacy and by the specific prescription written. When comparing options, the chosen strength affects pill burden and may influence how the regimen fits with meals and other diabetes medicines. Invokamet price can also vary by strength and by whether an XR form is prescribed.

Licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense medication after required documentation is received. Commonly listed combinations include:

For other oral combination formats, the Non Insulin Medications hub can help with browsing by class.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature and protect them from excess heat and moisture, unless the dispensing label states otherwise. Keep the medicine in its original container with the pharmacy label to reduce mix-ups and to support accurate identification. Do not use tablets past the labeled expiry date, and keep all medications out of reach of children and pets.

For travel, carry doses in hand luggage to avoid temperature extremes in checked bags. If crossing borders, keep a copy of the prescription information and the dispensing label available for inspection.

Quick tip: Maintain an updated medication list, including doses and prescriber contact details.

Side Effects and Safety

Side effects can come from either ingredient. Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, gas, or abdominal discomfort, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Canagliflozin can increase urination and thirst and may raise the risk of genital yeast infections and some urinary tract infections due to higher urine glucose. Some people also notice dizziness, particularly if they are prone to low blood pressure or dehydration.

Serious risks require prompt medical evaluation. Metformin-containing medicines carry a rare but serious risk of lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid), especially with significant kidney impairment, severe infection, heavy alcohol intake, or dehydration. SGLT2 inhibitors have been associated with ketoacidosis (high ketones), severe genital or perineal infection, and kidney injury in certain contexts; symptoms such as severe nausea, abdominal pain, confusion, or unusual fatigue should be assessed urgently. Invokamet price should never be weighed against safety monitoring or symptom evaluation.

Why it matters: Dehydration can worsen kidney stress and increase side effect risk.

Monitoring often includes periodic kidney labs, A1C, and review of volume status and blood pressure. Long-term metformin use may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in some patients, so clinicians may check B12 if symptoms suggest deficiency. For a plain-language review of side effects in a related class combination, read Janumet Side Effects.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Share a complete medication list with the prescriber and pharmacy. Insulin and sulfonylureas can increase hypoglycemia risk when combined with other glucose-lowering therapies, so clinicians may adjust accompanying medicines. Drugs that affect kidney function (including some diuretics and certain blood pressure medicines) can change tolerance and monitoring needs. Heavy alcohol intake increases risk concerns for metformin-containing products and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Some medicines can alter metformin levels, and certain drugs can affect canagliflozin metabolism. The prescriber may also advise special precautions around dehydration, surgery, acute illness, or fasting. If other oral diabetes medicines are being considered alongside metformin, the background guide Janumet Vs Metformin provides useful comparison concepts, even though ingredients differ.

Compare With Alternatives

Several options may be considered depending on goals, kidney function, and tolerability. Metformin alone remains a common foundation therapy and may be used when an SGLT2 inhibitor is not appropriate or when a simpler regimen is preferred. Other SGLT2 inhibitor/metformin combinations exist (with different SGLT2 ingredients), and DPP-4 inhibitor/metformin combinations are another category that targets after-meal glucose through incretin pathways.

When discussing alternatives, clinicians often compare kidney eligibility, gastrointestinal effects, urinary/genital infection risk, and dosing frequency. If someone is assessing how Invokamet price relates to broader therapy choices, it can help to understand what is being traded off clinically (for example, pill burden or side-effect profiles). For reference products, see Metformin Product and Synjardy Product. A related explainer is Synjardy Uses Dosage Side Effects.

Pricing and Access (Invokamet price)

Pricing for this medication depends on the prescribed strength, tablet type (standard vs XR), quantity dispensed, and pharmacy sourcing. Administrative steps can also affect timelines, such as confirming prescription validity and ensuring required clinical details are present. To browse comparable oral combinations, the Combination Tablets category lists other non-insulin fixed-dose options.

Cash-pay access is supported for people without coverage. As a prescription referral platform, CanadianInsulin coordinates documentation and routes dispensing through licensed Canadian pharmacies when appropriate. Site-wide updates and eligibility-limited offers are posted on Current Promotions.

Authoritative Sources

For prescribing decisions, contraindications, and full warnings, consult official references and the dispensing label. These sources also describe class-wide safety topics such as ketoacidosis risk, dehydration, and metformin-related lactic acidosis.

For metformin labeling and safety summaries, review the NIH reference: MedlinePlus metformin information.

For canagliflozin details and class-related warnings, review the NIH reference: MedlinePlus canagliflozin information.

For an FDA safety communication on SGLT2 inhibitors, review: FDA SGLT2 inhibitor safety communication.

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.