SGLT2 Inhibitors: What They Are, How They Work, and Which Drugs Are Used

When you hear SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of oral diabetes medications that lower blood sugar by making the kidneys remove glucose through urine. Also known as gliflozins, these drugs don’t just control sugar—they’ve been shown to protect the heart and kidneys in people with type 2 diabetes. Unlike older diabetes pills that push the body to make more insulin or make cells more sensitive to it, SGLT2 inhibitors work differently. They block a protein in your kidneys called SGLT2, which normally reabsorbs sugar back into your blood. When it’s blocked, extra sugar flows out with your urine—no insulin needed.

This simple trick changes the game. People using SGLT2 inhibitors often lose a little weight, see lower blood pressure, and have fewer hospital visits for heart failure. That’s why doctors now prescribe them not just for diabetes, but for heart and kidney protection—even in patients without diabetes. The big names you’ll see are empagliflozin, a widely studied SGLT2 inhibitor proven to reduce heart-related deaths in high-risk patients, dapagliflozin, often used when heart failure is part of the picture, and canagliflozin, linked to slower kidney disease progression. These aren’t just sugar pills—they’re disease-modifying tools.

But they’re not magic. Side effects like urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dehydration can happen. They’re not for everyone—especially not if you have kidney problems or are prone to low blood pressure. Still, for many, they’ve become a cornerstone of treatment because they do more than manage numbers. They improve real-life outcomes. If you’re on or considering one of these drugs, knowing how they work and what to watch for makes a big difference.

Below, you’ll find detailed comparisons of these and other diabetes-related medications—what works faster, what’s safer long-term, and how they stack up against older options. Whether you’re managing type 2 diabetes, dealing with heart complications, or just trying to understand your prescription, the posts here give you straight answers without the jargon.