New Medication for Kidney Disease

[Pepperthedog]

Over many years I've had many different medications for PKD, as my eGFR slowly declined and my blood pressure rose. Recently, I came across a new medication called Empagliflozin, that was developed for diabetic patients but was more recently found not only to reduce blood pressure, but actually improve kidney function.

For the past 18 months my BP has been seriously high and no medications has reduced it. So I asked my GP about trying Empagliflozin, but she said it was only for diabetes; a couple of weeks later - having evidently done her own research - she gave me a prescription, and it has reduced my BP quite significantly. There are quite a lot of potential side effects but after several weeks, so far so good.

[WildIris]

That's great! I wonder if it's similar to Farxiga, which is advertised for both CKD and diabetes. Keep that old blood pressure down!

[Pepperthedog in reply to WildIris]

Apparently, "The key difference between these drugs lies in the type of heart disease complications they're approved to help prevent. Jardiance (Empagliflozin) is approved to reduce the risk of death from heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Farxiga, on the other hand, is approved to reduce the risk of hospitalization from heart failure." Not sure I really understand the distinction! 😏

[Skip56 in reply to WildIris]

C est vrai le forxiga et comme empaglifozine,pas tellement d amélioration,le dfg est aussi bas

[Pepperthedog in reply to Skip56]

Merci, Skip, c'est tres utile.

[Pepperthedog in reply to WildIris]

I had another thought about Farxiga: the advantage of Empagliflozin over other BP-management drugs is that it actually acts to protect the kidneys and slow deterioration; apparently, Farxiga does the same: "Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) belong to the same class of medications (SGLT2 inhibitors) and are both known to improve kidney function and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in people without diabetes." Skip56 points out below that Forxiga is similar to Empagliflozin but the latter is more effective in maintaining eGFR.

Some sites suggest that combining Empagliflozin with Finerenone - an MRA - may be even more effective. I tried to ask the renal guy last week but didn't get an answer, so will write to him and post if he does offer any advice.

[Tashathedog]

I found Jardiance on line so suggested it to my husbands Dr. Husband is eGFR 11, but we decided it was worth a try. Well, it appears to have stabilised at 11, though we’ve only had it about 7 weeks. It’s also made a distinct difference to his Alzheimers, cleared his head, and my family have noticed the difference in him, not so much sundowners nonsense, and memory appears to be much clearer. He’s almost 84.

Blood test again early April so will post the result. It’s not funded in NZ and is costing us about $25 a week, but so worth it.

[Pepperthedog]

I'm so pleased it's helped your husband too. Surprising - and - unfair that the NZ Parliament won't fund it, as it will save a lot of money in the long run. Perhaps they will when there's more evidence. You could try writing to your MP and contacting any kidney help organisations in NZ to start lobbying for its acceptance. Good luck!