Summary

Diabetic ketoacidosis and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: What do we need to know?

Esther Álvarez-Rodríguez1,2, Pablo Matías Soler2,3, Marina Gil Mosquera2,3

Affiliation of the authors

1Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain. 2Grupo de Trabajo SEMES Diabetes, Endocrinología y Metabolismo. 3Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

DOI

Quote

Álvarez-Rodríguez E, Matías Soler P, Gil Mosquera M. Diabetic ketoacidosis and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: What do we need to know?. Rev Esp Urg Emerg. 2023;2:224–8

Summary

Diabetic ketoacidosis related to sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is a rare but potentially serious complication. Outside of a clinical context that leads to suspicion of diabetic ketoacidosis a priori, the diagnosis is challenging. Treatment requires insulin given at an injection rate able to inhibit the production of ketone bodies, the process causing the problem; glucose must be concomitantly administered in many cases. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be avoided by knowing which patients are at greatest risk for this complication before prescribing SGLT2 inhibitors and by refraining from reducing the patient’s usual insulin dose regimen or carbohydrate intake. It is also essential to equip the patient with information, such as possible precipitating factors and how to detect and treat ketosis in its early stages. Emergency departments should test for high ketone body concentrations in blood during the initial evaluation of patients who are on SGLT2 inhibitors.

 

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