Klin Farmakol Farm. 2026;40(3):153-157 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2026.023

Gliflozins in the treatment of diabetes and its complications

Petr Žák^{1, 2}, Karolína Kvíčalová^{1, 2}, Eliška Ambrožová^{1, 2}

¹ 2. interní klinika, Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno

² Diabetologické centrum 2. interní kliniky, Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny v Brně

The drug group gliflozins (SGLT-2 inh.) was introduced at the beginning of its clinical use as antidiabetic drugs with a low risk of hypoglycemia. Only later did the results of randomized clinical trials show us that the scope of their effect is much broader, with a confirmed benefit for reducing cardiovascular morbidity, mortality and their nephroprotective potential. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most frequently reported failure phenotype in type 2 DM. However, this disease is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated, despite the proven effectiveness of SGLT-2 inh. in the treatment of HFpEF. Currently, SGLT-2 inh. are among the basic pillars of the treatment not only of diabetes, but also of heart failure and diabetic kidney disease. In the treatment of diabetes, their effect significantly exceeds the control of glycemia, also includes the modulation of metabolism or the reduction of oxidative stress. In recent experimental studies, the possible effect of SGLT-2 inh. on diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, the data monitoring the possible influence on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases are remarkable. Of course, clinical studies on a larger patient population will still be needed, but perhaps in the future we will see a further expansion of indications for the treatment of SGLT-2 inh.

Keywords: SGLT-2 inh., HFpEF, CKD, retinopathy, neuropathy.

Received: March 31, 2026; Revised: June 4, 2026; Accepted: June 4, 2026; Published: October 14, 2026  Show citation