Question 273 of 433
Are SGLT2 inhibitors the best repurposed drug for longevity?
The short answer
If I had to name the single drug class with the best claim to extending life across several organs, it would be this one. The claim holds for people with diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease.
These pills cause the kidneys to release sugar and salt. In trials they reduced hospitalization for heart failure by about a third, slowed kidney failure, and lowered death from any cause by roughly 14 percent in pooled analyses. One member of the class extended life in male mice.
There is no trial in healthy people. Side effects include genital yeast infections, dehydration, and, rarely, a dangerous acid buildup, particularly during fasting or illness. I prescribe them freely for the conditions they treat and not otherwise.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
ROBUST HUMAN TRIALS — Eligible heart failure or kidney disease patients, with or without diabetes; healthy-user longevity unproven.Evidence grade (draft mapping)ARobust human trialsPart 19, Q273 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.