The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning that Steglatro side effects and those of other drugs in its class may include rare occurrences of flesh-eating bacteria in the genital area.

Steglatro (ertugliflozin) belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. Others in this class include the following:

• Invokana, Invokamet, Invokamet XR (active ingredient: canagliflozin)
• Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Qtern (active ingredient: danagliflozin)
• Jardiance, Glyxambi, Synjardy, Synjardy XR (active ingredient: empagliflozin)
• Steglatro, Segulromet, Steglujan (active ingredient: ertugliflozin)

According to the FDA, more than 1.7 million patients were prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor in the United States in 2017 alone.

Flesh-eating bacteria of the genital area is also known as Fournier’s gangrene. The necrotizing fasciitis attacks the tissues just underneath the skin of the perineum, which is the area between the genitals and the anus. This skin contains muscles, nerves, and fat, and includes blood vessels that supply blood to the genitals.

Fournier’s gangrene usually starts in a cut or broken skin in the perineal area, leaving behind dead or dying tissue as it spreads to the genitals. There is also a danger that the flesh-eating bacteria can spread to the thighs, stomach, and chest if not treated early with broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgery to remove affected tissue.

In a population that does not take SGLT2 inhibitors, the rate of Fournier’s gangrene is reportedly 1.6 per 100,000 U.S. men each year. Fournier’s gangrene is exceptionally rare in women.

Reported cases of the potentially life-threatening bacteria rose markedly after SGLT2 inhibitors were introduced on the market in March 2013.

Five women and seven men reportedly developed Fournier’s gangrene between March 2013 and May 2018. These were just the cases that were reported to the FDA, which acknowledges more cases may have not been reported to the agency. All of the patients were reportedly taking SGLT2 inhibitors and ranged in age from 38 to 78 years old.

All the patients had to be admitted to a hospital where they underwent surgery to remove infected tissue. Five of the patients needed multiple surgeries, while four patients experienced complications. One patient died.

None of those patients was taking Steglatro, but the FDA said in a statement that it “would be expected to have the same risk for this rare and serious infection as other SGLT2 inhibitors.”

Symptoms of Steglatro side effects that could be associated with Fournier’s gangrene include tenderness or swelling of the genitals and a temperature beyond 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Steglatro Side Effects

In addition to Fournier’s gangrene, other possible Steglatro side effects can be dangerous.

SGLT2 inhibitors control blood sugar in patients with type-2 diabetes. These medications work by redirecting excess sugar away from the bloodstream and through the kidneys, so the sugar can be expelled through urine.

Unfortunately, patients with type-2 diabetes are at risk for kidney problems and circulatory issues. SGLT2 inhibitors tax the kidneys even further, which means Steglatro side effects can include kidney problems, ketoacidosis, low blood sugar, and leg and foot amputations.

Other Steglatro side effects might also include genital yeast infections, dehydration, changes in urination frequency, and serious urinary tract infections that may lead to hospitalization.

Join a Free Diabetes Medications & Flesh-Eating Infection Lawsuit Investigation

The type-2 diabetes medications linked to the flesh-eating infection include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglato
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

If you or a loved one took one of the type-2 diabetes medications listed above and suffered from a flesh-eating genital infection, you may qualify to join this diabetes medication lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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