Australia warns on risk of diabetic ketoacidosis with SGLT2s diabetes drugs

Australia’s regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is advising consumers and health professionals that serious cases of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) have been reported in patients taking prescription medicines that are inhibitors of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2).

These drugs include canagliflozin, dapagliflozin or empagliflozin, which are used to help lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Early signs and symptoms of DKA include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, excessive thirst, difficult breathing, unusual fatigue and sleepiness. If DKA is not diagnosed early and treatment initiated, more serious signs and symptoms including dehydration, deep gasping breathing, confusion and coma can potentially develop, the TGA said.