A recent study by the FDA has raised concerns about a new type of diabetes drug known as SGLT2 inhibitors.
According to the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, these drugs are associated with a risk of developing a severe infection called Fournier gangrene.
SGLT2 inhibitors have been a breakthrough in diabetes treatment, offering a novel approach to managing blood sugar levels.
However, this study, which investigated the health risks of various diabetes medications, found 55 cases of Fournier gangrene among diabetic patients using SGLT2 inhibitors between March 2013 and January 2019. The patients, aged between 33 and 87 years, included 39 men and 16 women.
Fournier gangrene is a serious infection that affects the external genitalia, perineum, and perianal region. The study revealed that the onset of this infection varied, occurring anywhere from 5 days to 49 months after starting the SGLT2 inhibitors.
These patients also suffered from other complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis, sepsis, and kidney injury.
In comparison, only 19 cases of the infection were reported in patients using other diabetes drugs such as metformin, insulin glargine, short-acting insulin, sitagliptin plus metformin, and dulaglutide, during a much longer period (1984 to January 2019).
This significant difference in the occurrence of Fournier gangrene between patients using SGLT2 inhibitors and those on other diabetes medications indicates a newly identified risk associated with SGLT2 inhibitors.
The study’s findings call for increased vigilance among healthcare providers. Doctors prescribing SGLT2 inhibitors should be aware of this potential complication and monitor their patients closely, especially in the early stages of treatment.
For patients with diabetes, this study underscores the importance of being informed about the potential risks of different treatment options.
While SGLT2 inhibitors can be effective in managing diabetes, being aware of and promptly addressing any signs of infection is crucial.
This research adds a vital dimension to understanding the safety profile of diabetes medications, particularly newer drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors.
It highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and research to ensure the safe use of these medications.
For those managing diabetes, staying informed and communicating with healthcare providers about any concerns or symptoms is key to effective and safe treatment.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about a cure for type 2 diabetes, and these vegetables could protect against kidney damage in diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about bone drug that could lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing eating more eggs linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
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