Empagliflozin/metformin fixed-dose combination: a review in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Most patients with type 2 diabetes, who receive monotherapy, are unable to maintain glucose levels with the progress of disease. Therefore, combination therapy with two or more anti-diabetic agents of different classes is highly desired. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve glycemic control through increasing urinary glucose excretion, which is independent of β-cell function. In addition, they are generally well tolerated and associated with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. SGLT2 inhibitors as add-on therapy to metformin have an additive effect on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, and fixed-dose tablet is likely to reduce pill burden and then improve patients’ adherence.

Areas covered: This article reviews empagliflozin/metformin combination therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The clinical efficacy and tolerability of empagliflozin/metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes are discussed based on the available literature.

Expert opinion: It was found that empagliflozin/metformin combination therapy could significantly improve glycemic control, body weight and blood pressure with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. In addition, the empagliflozin/metformin fixed-dose tablets, supported by bioequivalence studies, could reduce pill burden to further achieve the improved patients’ adherence, better glycemic control and optimized cost-effectiveness.