A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has raised serious concerns about a newer group of diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs have been widely praised because they lower blood sugar in a new way.
Instead of increasing insulin, they help the body remove extra sugar through urine. Because of this, they have become a popular treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who struggle to control their blood sugar with older medicines.
However, researchers have now found that these drugs may carry a rare but very dangerous risk. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, linked SGLT2 inhibitors to a severe infection known as Fournier gangrene.
This infection attacks the skin and tissue around the genitals and anal area. It spreads quickly and can become life‑threatening if not treated immediately.
The researchers reviewed safety reports from March 2013 to January 2019 and identified 55 cases of this infection among people taking SGLT2 inhibitors. The patients ranged in age from 33 to 87 years old. Most were men, but women were also affected. In many cases, the infection developed days, months, or even years after starting the medication.
Fournier gangrene is extremely serious because it destroys tissue rapidly and can lead to blood infection, organ failure, and death. Many of the affected patients also suffered other complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney injury, and severe bloodstream infection. These conditions made treatment more difficult and recovery slower.
For comparison, researchers looked at reports from other diabetes drugs over a much longer period, from 1984 to early 2019. Only 19 cases of the infection were linked to all other diabetes medications combined, including commonly used drugs like metformin and insulin.
This large difference suggests that the risk may be specifically related to SGLT2 inhibitors rather than diabetes drugs in general.
Doctors are now being urged to watch patients carefully when prescribing these medications, especially during the early months of treatment. Patients should also be aware of warning signs such as pain, swelling, redness, fever, or unusual tiredness, and seek medical help immediately if symptoms appear.
For people living with diabetes, this information is important but should not cause panic. SGLT2 inhibitors can still be very effective for controlling blood sugar and reducing complications of diabetes. The key message from researchers is that benefits and risks must be considered carefully for each individual.
This study highlights the importance of ongoing safety monitoring for new medicines even after they are approved for use. It also reminds patients to communicate openly with their doctors about any new symptoms. With proper awareness and quick treatment, serious complications can often be prevented.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
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