title: Generalized Intense Pruritus During Canagliflozin Treatment: Is it an Adverse Drug Reaction?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selective agents able to locate and identify unique targets represent a crucial aspect of modern pharmacology. The exclusive location of Sodium-Glucose co-Transporter-2 (SGLUT2) on kidneys prompt companies to develop SGLT2 inhibitors that today are the latest class of drugs for diabetes treatment. In particular, canagliflozin blocks the re-absorption of glucose in the kidney lowering blood glucose levels by increasing glucose excretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a 61-year old woman who developed an intense and severe pruritus during the treatment with canagliflozin. Clinical and laboratory findings excluded the presence of systemic or skin diseases able to induce pruritus. The discontinuation of canagliflozin and the treatment with pioglitazone/metformin fixed combination induced a remission of pruritus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case emphasizes the need to consider pruritus as a differential diagnosis during the treatment with canagliflozin.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Territorial Medicine, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale, Crotone, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vasapollo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cione
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, University of Catanzaro and Operative Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Mater Domini Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
mesh_terms: D000068896:Canagliflozin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000068896:Canagliflozin
keywords: Pruritus; SGLT2; adverse drug reaction; canagliflozin; pharmacology; sodium-glucose.