Profile of Ipragliflozin, an Oral SGLT-2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: The Evidence to Date

Abstract

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a novel class of pharmacotherapeutics for type 2 diabetes management that work by reducing renal reabsorption of glucose. Ipragliflozin is a potent, selective SGLT-2 inhibitor used for the management of type 2 diabetes.

Objective

The primary aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin for the management of type 2 diabetes. We also review the discovery, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profile of ipragliflozin.

Methods

To inform our review, we searched MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Embase to identify relevant papers to ipragliflozin use in type 2 diabetes. Clinical trial registries were also searched.

Results

Findings from randomized clinical trials demonstrate that compared to placebo, ipragliflozin significantly reduces glucose as measured via Hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. Ipragliflozin is also associated with weight reduction and an improvement in some, but not all, cardiovascular risk markers. Ipragliflozin has a favourable safety profile with a low risk of hypoglycemia and the rates of common adverse events are not significantly different than placebo. Limited data are available to assess rare and long-term adverse effects.

Conclusion

Current evidence shows that ipragliflozin is an effective therapeutic option for the management of glucose control in type 2 diabetes. However, no cardiovascular outcome trials have been conducted to date. Real-world observational studies are still needed to accurately capture any possible rare or long-term adverse events.

Keywords:

• review
• efficacy
• safety
• pharmacokinetics
• pharmacodynamics
• discovery

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Praveen Rao Nekkar for assistance with creating Figure 1.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.