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Last month we talked about how prescribers were getting over their fear of using SGLT2 Inhibitors because of the warning about urinary tract infections. Although incidence in the clinical trials was low there had been an apparent exaggeration in the minds of prescribers as to how often these UTIs occurred. Now, in a retrospective look at over 4,500 patients in 12 different studies, more evidence seems to show that all the worry was for naught. This retrospective look published in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications shows that although there was an increase in the incidence of UTI in the 5mg and 10mg doses of dapagiflozin vs. placebo or 2.5 mg, there was no conclusive data indicating that this increased glucose in the urine was responsible for an increase in UTIs.
In a recent analysis of diabetes patients, approximately 74% of these patients had hypertension in addition to their diabetes. When we consider that the controlled patient is on about three medications for their elevated blood pressure it makes sense that any medication that could help lower blood pressure would be a welcome addition. A study from the EASD indicates that SGLT2 Inhibitors can lower hypertensive levels while lowering glucose levels.