Diabetes: No end to SGLT2-inhibitor drugs side effects

Last Updated on September 1, 2018 by Joseph Gut – thasso

01 September 2018 – The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  is warning that cases of a very rare but serious infection of the genitals and area around the genitals have been reported with the class of type 2 diabetes medicines called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. This serious rare infection, called necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the perineum, is also referred to as Fournier’s gangrene. FDA is requiring a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information of all SGLT2 inhibitors and to the patient Medication Guide.

SGLT2 inhibitors are FDA-approved for use with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine. First approved in 2013, medicines in the SGLT2 inhibitor class include canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin (see below for currently FDA-approved SGLT2 inhibitors). In addition, empagliflozin is approved to lower the risk of death from heart attack and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious problems, including blindness, nerve and kidney damage, and heart disease.

• Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms of tenderness, redness, or swelling of the genitals or the area from the genitals back to the rectum, and have a fever above 100.4 F or a general feeling of being unwell. These symptoms can worsen quickly, so it is important to seek treatment right away.
• Read the patient Medication Guide every time you receive a prescription for an SGLT2 inhibitor because there may be new or important additional information about your drug. The Medication Guide explains the benefits and risks associated with the medicine

Health care professionals should:

• Assess patients for Fournier’s gangrene if they present with the symptoms described above. If suspected, start treatment immediately with broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement if necessary.
• Discontinue the SGLT2 inhibitor, closely monitor blood glucose levels, and provide appropriate alternative therapy for glycemic control.

Health care professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

 

See here the list of currently approved SGLT2 inhibitors:

Brand Name                                     Active Ingredient(s)

Invokana                                               Canagliflozin

Invokamet                                            Canagliflozin and Metformin

Invokamet XR                                     Canagliflozin and Metformin Extended-Release

Farxiga                                                  Dapagliflozin

Xigduo XR                                            Dapagliflozin and Metformin Extended-Release

Qtern                                                     Dapagliflozin and Saxagliptin

Jardiance                                              Empagliflozin

Glyxambi                                               Empagliflozin and Linagliptin

Synjardy                                                Empagliflozin and Metformin

Synjardy XR                                         Empagliflozin and Metformin Extended-Release

Steglatro                                                Ertugliflozin

Segluromet                                            Ertugliflozin and Metformin

Steglujan                                               Ertugliflozin and Sitagliptin