Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising, and in 2015 more than 5% of adults in the UK were affected by this condition.^1,2 Management of type 2 diabetes includes encouraging lifestyle changes (increased exercise, modification of diet and smoking cessation) alongside the provision of medication to minimise long-term complications and manage blood sugar control while avoiding unwanted effects of drug treatment.³ Of particular importance, people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and therefore the aims of treatment also include modification of associated risk factors.^2-5

▼ Empagliflozin (Jardiance-Boehringer Ingelheim) is the third sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor licensed for use in the UK. It was launched in August 2014, and acts in a similar way to the other SGLT2 inhibitors, ▼ dapagliflozin and ▼ canagliflozin, by inhibiting renal glucose resorption and promoting glycosuria.⁶ It is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults to improve glycaemic control, as monotherapy when metformin cannot be used, and in combination with other glucose-lowering drugs including insulin. Here we review the evidence for empagliflozin and discuss the results of a recent study that assessed cardiovascular outcomes.