# SGLT2 inhibitors

SGLT2 inhibitors (the 'gliflozins', like empagliflozin and dapagliflozin) block a kidney transporter called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2. That makes you pee out excess glucose. They are approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure (both preserved and reduced ejection fraction), and chronic kidney disease, with strong proven benefits for heart and kidney survival. How they work is not fully settled. Proposed mechanisms include a possible shift in the heart's fuel toward ketones, a mild calorie loss, and reduced strain on the kidney's filters. One striking longevity hint: canagliflozin extended lifespan in male mice. But off-label use in adults without an approved indication is still experimental.

## Sources

- Zinman B, Wanner C, Lachin JM et al.. (2015). Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes (EMPA-REG OUTCOME). New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1504720

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/sglt2-inhibitors · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_