Empagliflozin-Associated Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) is an uncommon condition, which is characterized by an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis with ketonemia/ketonuria, in the presence of normal blood glucose levels. Common risk factors for the development of this condition include pregnancy, prolonged fasting, acute pancreatitis, and bariatric surgery. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been identified as a rare cause of euDKA. A recent literature review on PubMed found only 86 case reports of euDKA secondary to SGLT inhibitors published in the medical literature up to December 2022. Here, we present the case of a 43-year-old man who was taking empagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor. The patient was found to have euDKA, which was likely an adverse effect of his medication.