KDA ‘Concern on use of SGLT2 inhibitors for weight loss'

The Korean Diabetes Association expresses concerns over the use of SGLT2 inhibitors for weight loss

Recommends prescribing and monitoring SGLT2 inhibitors in consideration of the drug and patient characteristics

“Demand for unreasonable prescriptions for cosmetic purposes increases… which requires information correction”

As interest in weight loss has increased with the advent of new GLP-1 analogs, experts have warned of the risk of overuse of SGLT2 inhibitors for weight loss or cosmetic purposes.

 

The Korean Diabetes Association has recently issued a series of statements on the safe use of SGLT2 inhibitors for both experts and the general public.

 

As the number of prescriptions for SGLT2 inhibitors, which were initially developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, has recently increased rapidly in patients with renal or heart failure who are not diabetic, the KDA has issued a statement to clarify the characteristics of the drugs and their potential side effects and to emphasize the need for cautious use.

 

The KDA explained, “SGLT2 inhibitors have recently been found to have beneficial effects on patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease, which has expanded their use to patients without diabetes.

 

These drugs reduce blood sugar and have a slight weight loss effect, but they come with the risk of side effects such as genital infections and diabetic ketoacidosis and require careful use.” With the weight loss effect of SGLT2 inhibitor obesity drugs drawing attention, the weight loss effect of SGLT2 inhibitors in general has recently been gaining the spotlight.

 

If you search for 'SGLT2 inhibitors for weight loss' on an internet portal, you can easily find relevant information.

 

The problem is an increasing number of patients without appropriate indications request prescriptions for weight loss.

 

On this, Kyu Jeung Ahn, President of KDA (Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Kang Dong Kyung Hee University Hospital), said, “With the recent approval and launch of obesity drugs and the increasing amount of related information being disseminated, unreasonable demand for the drugs has been growing recently.

 

It is difficult to generate specific statistical data, but there are aspects that the KDA board members have felt, so we have decided to organize and present the previously discussed content again.

 

#i The KDA explained that although SGLT2 inhibitors have some effect on weight loss, they should not be used indiscriminately for weight loss or cosmetic purposes.

 

In particular, the KDA specified that both healthcare professionals and patients should be aware of the side effects of this drug and that it should be used strictly according to appropriate medical needs.

 

The KDA also reiterated that the recent issue of indiscriminate non-face-to-face prescriptions without confirming the patient’s condition or sufficient consultation or using it for the simple purpose of weight loss, is clearly abuse.

 

“Only the positive aspects of the treatment are being highlighted recently, but as there are potential side effects, patients should be fully informed about the treatment and their situation before using it,” said Ahn.

 

Along with this, the KDA said that SGLT2 inhibitors should be used with caution in patients at high risk of dehydration because they promote the excretion of glucose and water from the body.

 

In the case of elderly patients, muscle loss due to weight loss along with dehydration may occur, so it is recommended that patients aged 75 or older and who are frail should consult with a diabetes specialist before using this product with caution.

 

“It is KDA’s role to ensure that more benefits are being provided to people with diabetes through the use of proper treatment,” said Ahn.

 

”In addition to our association, efforts are also needed across the policy and industry sectors to ensure that the treatment is used for its original intended purpose and not for other purposes.”