A safety evaluation of empagliflozin plus linagliptin for treating type 2 diabetes

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV inhibitors (DPP-4i) and sodium-glucose-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are oral antidiabetic drugs that improve glycemic parameters and possess a very low intrinsic hypoglycemia risk and favorable cardiovascular data. Areas covered: An overview on the clinical studies investigating the combination therapy with the DPP-4i linagliptin and the SGLT-2i empagliflozin is given. The clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of free combinations as well as for their fixed dose combinations is presented. Empagliflozin has recently proved to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular high risk situations. A fixed dose combination (FDC) of empagliflozin and linagliptin as add on therapy to metformin or as initial treatment lowered the HbA1c by approximately 1.1% and reduced the body weight by 2.0-3.0 kg. The hypoglycemia risk was not significantly increased. The relevant studies were identified by a search in Medline and in clinicaltrials.gov. Expert opinion/commentary: A DPP-4i/SGLT-2i FDC may be especially useful to simplify treatment, to reduce the tablet burden and to increase medication adherence. This FDC may be particularly beneficial for patients where the reduction of body weight, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk are important and in whom hypoglycemia should be avoided.