empagliflozin

An orally available competitive inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2; SLC5A2) with antihyperglycemic activity. Upon oral administration, empagliflozin selectively and potently inhibits SGLT2 in the kidneys, thereby suppressing the reabsorption of glucose in the proximal tubule. Inhibition of SGLT2 increases urinary glucose excretion by the kidneys, resulting in a reduction of plasma glucose levels in an insulin-independent manner. Inhibition of SGLT2 in the kidneys also suppresses the renal reabsorption of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5AG). This lowers serum 1,5AG and neutrophil 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate (1,5AG6P) levels, which may improve neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib). SGLT2, a transport protein exclusively expressed in the proximal renal tubules, mediates approximately 90% of renal glucose reabsorption from tubular fluid.