New research shows combined use of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) is likely to offer additional protection against heart and kidney disease in patients with diabetes. Findings were published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and presented in May at the 61 st European Renal Association Congress in Stockholm, Sweden. SGLT2is, also called gliflozins, are a class of drug that lower blood glucose by increasing its excretion in the urine, while GLP-1RAs, such as Ozempic, work by enhancing insulin release and sensitivity.
Both classes of medicine have each been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Although small, relatively short-term trials have suggested that using these medicines together improves blood glucose control, their combined effects on heart disease and kidney failure are less clear. Researchers involved in the SGLT2 Inhibitor Meta-analysis Cardio-Renal Trialists' Consortium (SMART-C) pooled data across 12 large-scale, placebo-controlled trials of SGLT2is involving 73,238 patients with diabetes, 3,065 of whom were already receiving GLP1-RAs.
The meta-analysis showed that the benefits of SGLT2is were observed independent of GLP1-RA use. SGLT2is reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 11% and hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death by 23% versus placebo, even when added to GLP1-RAs. SGL.
