If you or someone you love has type-2 diabetes and takes a certain class of drugs to help lower blood sugar, the FDA has an important warning.
The FDA is warning type-2 diabetes patients that a rare, potentially life-threatening genital infection has been reported in a small number of patients taking a class of medicines known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. The FDA first approved SGLT-2 inhibitors in 2013 to help people with type-2 diabetes lower their blood sugar.
The rare bacterial infection known as Fournier’s gangrene is a potentially life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria of the genitals and the skin in and around the genital area. The infection affects both males and females. It usually enters the body through a cut in the skin and can spread very quickly. Infected patients are treated aggressively with antibiotics and surgery.
One death and 11 hospitalizations have been reported so far. A 2012 study in ISRN Surgery and the U.S. National Library of Medicine found patients who acquire the infection have a 20% mortality rate.
More than a dozen drugs used to lower sugar in type-2 diabetes patients are included in the warning. Well-known drugs such as Invokana, Farxiga, and Jardiance are among the SGLT-2 inhibitors involved.
Here is the full list of FDA-approved SGLT-2 inhibitors included in the warning:
Type-2 diabetes patients taking one of the above-listed SGLT-2 inhibitors should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:
The FDA recommends patients taking this diabetes drug read the Medication Guide included in the packaging each and every time they refill their prescription to be aware of any new or additional important information about the drug and its side effects and risks.
Additionally, the FDA asks diabetes patients taking SGLT-2 inhibitors to report any side effects or adverse reactions to this or any other medication through its MedWatch reporting system at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home or by calling 1-800-332-1088.
