Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Amputation: What Is Currently Known?

Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Twelve medication classes on the market reduce serum glucose including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Potential benefits of these agents include improved glycemic control, weight loss, reduction in blood pressure, and possible reduction in cardiovascular events in patients with elevated cardiovascular risk.

Recently, several adverse events have been identified including increased possible risk of amputation associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy.

We conducted a review of published literature and identified 32 trials reviewing incidence of SGLT2 inhibitor-related amputation.

The potential increased risk for amputation is mostly of the lower extremities. Of the SGLT2 inhibitors currently available, canagliflozin has the highest association with an increased risk of lower extremity amputation and is the only agent with a Food and drug Administration Black Box Warning. Most canagliflozin amputation occurred in a single study. Risk factors for amputation with SGLT2 inhibitors may include those who have a history of amputations, susceptible to foot ulcers and those with baseline cardiovascular disease.

For at-risk patients who desire an agent from this drug class, empagliflozin or dapagliflozin should be considered, as studies have not found a significant increase in amputations when compared with placebo or in retrospective reviews. Despite the increased risk of amputation found with canagliflozin, providers can use SGLT2 inhibitors with frequent monitoring to safely manage diabetes in low-risk patients. Patient education on associated risks is warranted. Diabetes educators can inform patients of risk factors to assist with monitoring.