Empagliflozin: A new treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Empagliflozin is an oral sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that reduces hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by decreasing renal glucose reabsorption and promoting urinary glucose excretion. In clinical trials, empagliflozin demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control, as monotherapy and in combination regimens. In addition, empagliflozin was associated with weight loss and moderate reductions in blood pressure. In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study, empagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of the composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke. Across the trials in general, empagliflozin was well tolerated, with no increased risk of hypoglycemia except when used with an insulin secretagogue or insulin. An increased risk of genital infections and urinary tract infections has been reported, although the association is less clear for urinary tract infections. Overall, empagliflozin appears to be a promising treatment for T2DM.