SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Weight
Diabetes medications that promote weight loss by causing the kidneys to excrete excess sugar through urine.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
SGLT-2 inhibitors are a class of medications originally developed for type 2 diabetes that also help with weight loss. They work by causing the kidneys to remove excess sugar from the blood through urine, which means calories are literally flushed out of the body. Examples include empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Forxiga).
Medical
Clinical Definition
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors block glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubule, inducing glycosuria and a net caloric loss of approximately 200-300 kcal per day. Weight loss averages 2-3 kg over 6-12 months, accompanied by reductions in blood pressure and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Unlike GLP-1 receptor agonists, their weight loss effect plateaus and is more modest, but they offer complementary cardiorenal benefits independent of glycaemic control.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
SGLT-2 inhibitors represent an important option for patients with both obesity and type 2 diabetes, offering weight loss alongside proven cardiovascular and kidney protection. Dr. Joseph Wang at Accord Medical can assess whether this medication class fits into your personalised weight management plan.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
