Feb. 6, 2024 -- People with type 2 diabetes treated with a certain class of drugs have a a significantly lower risk of developing kidney stones.
The drugs, called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2) inhibitors, include Bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy), Canagliflozin (Invokana), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and Empagliflozin (Jardiance).
"Our results suggest that for patients with type 2 diabetes, the individual risk profile for developing (kidney stones) nephrolithiasis could be a consideration when deciding which glucose-lowering agent patients should initiate," wrote authors of a new study, published this month in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Cases of kidney stones has been on the rise, and the problem is especially important to those with type 2 diabetes, which can bring an increased risk of kidney stones, potentially causing severe pain and leading to kidney function decline.
The study found the SGLT2 inhibitors showed a 26% lower risk of kidney stones compared to patients taking another class of drugs known as didpeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Overall patients on the SGLT2 drugs had a 31% lower risk.
There were no differences in the results based on sex, race, ethnicity, a history of chronic kidney disease, or obesity.
Of note, adults under the age 70 saw a greater risk reduction compared to those over 70, although researchers are not sure why.
