Pushkar Mani1, Anusha Vohra2, Shipra Jain3
BACKGROUND
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of mortality due to its complications
such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke and end stage renal disease (ESRD).
Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter-2 inhibitors is a new class of oral hypoglycaemics
which impart additional benefits primarily on heart and kidney. The most
commonly used drugs in this class include Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin and
Empagliflozin. However, these drugs are associated with certain adverse effects.
This review aims to appraise the extra-glycaemic benefits and adverse effect
profile of SGLT-2 inhibitors so as to minimize the morbidity and mortality
associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
METHODS
Thorough literature search was made using search engines like PubMed, Cochrane
library, Medline and Google scholar to retrieve articles pertaining to extra
glycaemic benefits and adverse effects of SGLT2i.
RESULTS
Majority of studies like CANVAS, EMPA-REG and DECLARE-TIMI done on
Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin respectively have concluded that
these drugs possess additional benefits like reduced risk of heart failure, positive
effects on kidney functions, favourable effects on body weight, reduced levels of
uric acid and reduction in blood pressure. However, these drugs are associated
with certain adverse effects like increased risk of genital and urinary tract infection.
CONCLUSIONS
The extra-glycaemic benefits of SGLT2i on heart, kidney and other parameters like
body weight, uric acid and blood pressure have been proven by a number of
studies conducted over several years. Nevertheless, these drugs are associated
with certain adverse effects like increased risk of genital and urinary tract infection
which can be mitigated by maintaining hydration, perineal hygiene and educating
the patient.
