Blood Glucose Drug Reduces Risk of Kidney Failure in Diabetics

Researchers have announced that a drug called canagliflozin significantly reduces the risk of kidney failure in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. The findings come from a clinical trial involving 4,401 people in 34 countries, highlighting a more effective way to protect patients from this severe complication of diabetes. In addition to protecting the kidneys, the drug has also been found to reduce the risk of suffering serious cardiovascular problems.

Diabetes opens the door to serious, life-threatening health problems, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and death. The drug canagliflozin has already been used to help protect patients with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease from suffering serious cardiac events; In addition, it is prescribed to reduce blood sugar in diabetics.

Both of these uses – lowering blood glucose and reducing cardiovascular risk – have been approved by the FDA. The results of a clinical trial involving the drug and its protective effect against kidney disease point to another potential benefit offered by canagliflozin.

The effectiveness of the kidney failure drug in diabetics was compared to currently accepted treatment, called renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade (RAAS). Patients treated with canagliflozin were 30% less likely to develop kidney failure or die from kidney failure or cardiovascular disease.

Acting specifically for kidney complications, trial participants receiving the drug were 34% less likely to suffer from kidney failure or to die from it. In addition, the risk of being hospitalized for heart failure or dying of heart problems has decreased by 31%. The results come at a critical time: Type 2 diabetes is expected to reach 510 million by 2030, an increase of 20% from current levels.