Empagliflozin exhibits Safety and Renal Effects in Cirrhosis With T2DM: Study
A new clinical study has explored the role of empagliflozin in patients living with cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, highlighting both its short-term safety and renal effects. Empagliflozin, a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is widely prescribed for glycemic control in diabetes and has shown cardiovascular and renal protective benefits in several populations. In this investigation, six months of treatment with empagliflozin was found to be safe in individuals with cirrhosis complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus, a group that often faces heightened risks due to altered fluid balance, impaired renal function, and systemic inflammation.
The treatment led to an increase in urine output and fractional excretion of sodium, suggesting beneficial natriuretic effects that could help in managing fluid retention commonly seen in cirrhotic patients.
These findings are clinically relevant because fluid overload and renal dysfunction significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis, and current management options are limited. Importantly, the study did not identify new safety concerns, reinforcing the tolerability of empagliflozin in this high-risk group. However, the long-term implications for renal outcomes remain unclear. While short-term renal adaptations appeared favorable, the progression of chronic kidney disease in cirrhosis is influenced by multiple mechanisms, including portal hypertension and systemic hemodynamic alterations, which may not be fully addressed by SGLT2 inhibition alone.
Therefore, the investigators stressed the need for larger, long-duration randomized controlled trials to determine whether empagliflozin can provide sustained renal protection or alter the natural history of kidney disease in cirrhotic patients. If confirmed, these results could expand the therapeutic scope of SGLT2 inhibitors beyond diabetes and heart failure into the field of hepatology, offering new options for a population with limited treatment choices. The study also highlights the importance of individualized therapy, close monitoring, and careful assessment of risks and benefits in patients with advanced liver disease.
