Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Resource.

SGLT2 inhibitors, which are a class of medications used to manage type 2 diabetes, have a specific profile of side effects that are important for both health professionals and patients to understand. The commonly associated side effects include hypotension, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and increased urination.

Hypotension can occur due to the osmotic diuresis caused by SGLT2 inhibitors. As these drugs work by preventing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, this leads to increased glucose being excreted in the urine, which also pulls water along with it. This effect can result in dehydration, subsequently leading to a lowering of blood pressure.

Urinary tract infections are a notable risk because the presence of higher glucose levels in the urine can create an environment that encourages bacterial growth. Patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors may be more susceptible to UTIs as a result.

Increased urination is another direct effect of the mechanism by which SGLT2 inhibitors function. By inhibiting the SGLT2 protein in the proximal convoluted tubule of the nephron, these medications facilitate the excretion of both glucose and water, leading to increased urination as the body expels the excess glucose.

In contrast, increased appetite and