Does it matter if haematocrit increases with empagliflozin?

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Pharmacotherapy

Does it matter if haematocrit increases with empagliflozin?

14 December 2022

Linda Bryant

Wednesday 14 December 2022, 12:25 AM

Empagliflozin can increase the haematocrit by an average of 2 to 3 per cent within approximately three months [Image: Arek Socha on Pixabay]

Empagliflozin has multidirectional cardiovascular and renal benefits. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant looks at the interesting effect empagliflozin has on the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity

Key points, Empagliflozin can cause a dose-related increase in haemoglobin and haematocrit, which will reduce again if empagliflozin is discontinued. The mechan, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Medicines and Therapies

Haematology

References

Budzianowski J, Rzezniczak J, Hiczkiewicz J, et al. Beneficial effects of empagliflozin on hematocrit levels in a patient with severe anemia. DARU J Pharmacutical Sci 2021;29:507–10.
Kanbay M, Tapoi L, Ureche C, et al. Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol 2022;54(4):827–41.
Matsumara T, Makabe T, Ueda S, et al. Clinical benefit of switching from low-dose to high-dose empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Ther 2022;13:1621–34.
Oshima M, Neuen BL, Jardine MJ, et al. Effects of canagliflozin on anaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a post-hoc analysis from the CREDENCE trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2020;8(11):903–14.
Sano M, Takei M, Shiraishi Y, Suzuki Y. Increased hematocrit during sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy indicates recovery of tubulointerstitial function in diabetic kidneys. J Clin Med Res 2016;8(12):844–47.
Thiele K, Rau M, Hartmann N, et al. Effects of empagliflozin on erythropoiesis in patients with type 2 diabetes: Data from a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Diabetes Obes Metab 2021;23(12):2814–18.

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