Educate patients on SGLT2 inhibitors about yeast infection risk

SAN FRANCISCO — Nearly one in 10 patients prescribed sodium glucose co-transporter type 2 inhibitors will develop a mycotic infection or lower urinary tract infection, according to information presented at the American Academy of Physician Assistants 2015 meeting.

“You must speak to your patients prescribed sodium glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors about mycotic infection because around 10% to 11% of your patient population is going to get a yeast or mycotic infection,” said John Sink, PA, CDE, of the Jones Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Wellness in Macon, Georgia.

Although the presence of glucose in the urine — namely, genital infection and lower urinary tract infection — occurs more often in women compared with men prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors, Sink recommended that clinicians speak to all patients regarding the increased risk for infection.

“You have to have this conversation with men just as much as you do with women,” explained Sink. “Women understand mycotic infections, but men may have never had one so they don’t know what it is. You have to let them know ahead of time.” 

Among his patients, Sink said that three male patients presented with mycotic infection — two of which were uncircumcised.

Nearly 20% of patients on SGLT2 inhibitors will have a recurring infection. “I tell patients who have had an infection there’s a one in five chance it will happen again,” Sink said.