Journal of Diabetic Complications & Medicine

The Coexistence of Glycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Recurrent Genital Abscess and Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis in the Presence of a Concurrent SGLT-2 Inhibitor is Not Merely an Association, but Rather a Significant Correlation

Abstract

Samer Younes

SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Empagliflozin, are a type of antidiabetic drugs that offer significant advantages to diabetic individuals by decreasing renal tubular glucose re-absorption, leading to a rapid rise in urinary glucose excretion and subsequently lowering overall serum blood glucose levels. Despite these benefits, the use of these medications has been linked to the emergence of complications like euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (eDKA), a rare and serious metabolic disorder. Additionally, other complications such as recurrent genital abscesses and renal tubular acidosis have been associated with this drug class, although they have been less frequently reported and studied. The case of a woman who experienced life-threatening eDKA, recurrent genital abscesses and proximal renal tubular acidosis within just two months of starting Empagliflozin serves as an example of the potential risks associated with SGLT2 inhibitors.