A RECENT study has shed light on the impact of empagliflozin, a blood glucose-lowering medication, on weight management in patients with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Conducted as a quasi-experimental study, the research explored changes in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure over a three-month period.
The study included 43 participants (21 women and 22 men) with HbA1c levels up to 1% above the treatment target. Participants received 10 milligrams of empagliflozin daily, without the use of other glucose-lowering drugs. Monthly evaluations revealed significant outcomes in weight and metabolic markers.
On average, patients experienced a weight reduction of 2.96 kilograms, representing a 3.8% decrease (P < 0.001). BMI dropped by 1.10 kg/m² (3.72%, P < 0.001), and waist circumference decreased by 3.23 centimetres (P < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels fell from 114.86 to 109.48 mg/dL (P < 0.001), while HbA1c levels improved from 6.52% to 6.38% (P < 0.001).
The study revealed that weight loss was more pronounced in men compared to women (-3.59 kg vs. -2.30 kg, P = 0.029) and in patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) above 90 compared to those below (-3.34 kg vs. -2.16 kg, P = 0.063). Waist circumference reductions plateaued after one month, while weight and BMI reductions showed continued improvement throughout the three-month period.
No significant changes were observed in blood pressure or between BMI categories, indicating consistent effectiveness across varying levels of obesity.
Researchers concluded that empagliflozin offers a promising dual benefit for glucose control and weight reduction, with notable advantages for men and patients with preserved kidney function. These findings underscore the drug’s potential to address key challenges in diabetes management.
Further studies may explore longer-term impacts and refine its role in comprehensive diabetic care.
Victoria Antoniou, EMJ
Reference
Sanjari M et al. Effect of empagliflozin on weight in patients with prediabetes and diabetes. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):118.
