Canagliflozin reduces risk of hyperkalemia in diabetics with CKD: Study

At baseline, the mean serum potassium in canagliflozin and placebo arms was 4.5 mmol/L; 4395 (99.9%) participants were receiving renin-angiotensin system blockade.

The results of the study are as follows:

• The incidence of investigator-reported hyperkalaemia or initiation of potassium binders were lower with canagliflozin than with placebo.
• Canagliflozin similarly reduced the incidence of laboratory-determined hyperkalaemia, with no effect on the risk of hypokalaemia.
• The mean serum potassium over time with canagliflozin was similar to that of placebo.

Thus the researchers concluded that among patients treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibition with canagliflozin may reduce the risk of hyperkalaemia in people with T2DM and CKD without increasing the risk of hypokalaemia.

Reference:

A study titled, "Effects of canagliflozin on serum potassium in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: the CREDENCE trial" by Neuen B et. al. published in the European Heart Journal

https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab497