Empagliflozin reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients (N = 825) with type 2 diabetes and hypertension (mean seated systolic blood pressure [SBP] 130-159 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 80-99 mmHg) were randomized (double blind) to 10 mg or 25 mg empagliflozin or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. RESULTS At week 12, adjusted mean difference versus placebo in change from baseline in mean 24-h SBP (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring [ABPM]) was 23.44 mmHg (95% CI 24.78, 22.09) with 10 mg empagliflozin and 24.16 mmHg (25.50, 22.83) with 25 mg empagliflozin (both P < 0.001). At week 12, adjusted mean difference versus placebo in change from baseline in mean 24-h DBP (ABPM) was 21.36 mmHg (95% CI 22.15, 20.56) with 10 mg empagliflozin and 21.72 mmHg (95% CI 22.51, 20.93) with 25 mg empagliflozin (both P < 0.001). Changes in office BP were consistent with ABPM. Adjustedmean difference versus placebo in change from baseline in HbA1c at week 12 was 20.62% (95% CI 20.72, 20.52) (26.8mmol/mol [95% CI27.9,25.7]) with 10 mg empagliflozin and20.65% (95% CI 20.75, 20.55) (27.1 mmol/mol [95% CI 28.2, 26.0]) with 25 mg empagliflozin (both P < 0.001). Empagliflozin was well tolerated.One patient on placebo and one patient on 10 mg empagliflozin reported events consistent with volume depletion. CONCLUSIONS Empagliflozin was associated with significant and clinically meaningful reductions in BP and HbA1c versus placebo and was well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.