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News
A large Danish study found that 30% of type 2 diabetes patients stopped SGLT2 inhibitors within a year of starting, and fewer than one-third of those who quit ever restarted. Women, younger patients, and lower-income individuals were most likely to discontinue — often after urogenital side effects. Experts say better patient counseling upfront could make a real difference in keeping people on these proven therapies.
A nationwide Danish study of over 126,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that roughly 30% stopped taking SGLT2 inhibitors within their first year — and of those who quit, fewer than one in three ever restarted. That's a significant concern given how well-established the cardiorenal benefits of this drug class are.
Who's most likely to stop? Women, younger patients (under 50), and those with lower incomes showed the highest discontinuation rates. Patients with established heart failure or kidney disease, on the other hand, were more likely to stick with treatment — likely because their clinicians were more proactive about reinforcing its importance.
Acute clinical events — like urinary tract infections, dehydration hospitalizations, and sepsis — were strongly linked to stopping treatment. Researchers noted that UTIs may sometimes be incorrectly attributed to the drug, leading to unnecessary discontinuation.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: SGLT2 inhibitors are guideline-recommended for good reason — they protect the heart and kidneys. But real-world persistence is falling short. Proactively counseling patients about manageable side effects, especially genital infections, could prevent unnecessary discontinuation and improve long-term outcomes.
