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 -3.44 mmHg (95% CI -4.78, -2.09) with 10 mg empagliflozin and -4.16 mmHg (-5.50, -2.83) 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 -1.36 mmHg (95% CI -2.15, -0.56) with 10 mg empagliflozin and -1.72 mmHg (95% CI -2.51, -0.93) with 25 mg empagliflozin (both P < 0.001). Changes in office BP were consistent with ABPM. Adjusted mean difference versus placebo in change from baseline in HbA1c at week 12 was -0.62% (95% CI -0.72, -0.52) (-6.8 mmol/mol [95% CI -7.9, -5.7]) with 10 mg empagliflozin and -0.65% (95% CI -0.75, -0.55) (-7.1 mmol/mol [95% CI -8.2, -6.0]) 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.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01370005.