A new analysis of multiple studies suggests that three newer diabetes drugs bexagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and sotagliflozin may lower the risk of serious heart problems in people with type 2 diabetes. The drugs belong to a class called SGLT inhibitors, which help control blood sugar and have shown heart benefits in previous research.
The analysis combined results from several high-quality trials. It found that people taking any of these three drugs had a 34% lower chance of dying from heart disease or being hospitalized for heart failure compared to those on placebo. The drugs also reduced the risk of hospitalization for heart failure by 38% and lowered the odds of acute coronary syndrome by 65%.
Two of the drugs, bexagliflozin and sotagliflozin, were also linked to a lower risk of heart attack. Bexagliflozin cut the risk by 61%, and sotagliflozin by 59%. The analysis did not report any safety concerns, but it also did not provide details on side effects or how well patients tolerated the drugs.
Because this is a meta-analysis, it combines data from different studies, which can have limitations. The results are promising, but they should be confirmed in more research. People with type 2 diabetes should talk to their doctor about the best treatment options for their heart health.
