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Efficacy and safety of combining empagliflozin in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus uncontrolled with metformin and sitagliptin: A randomised, double-blind, multicentre, therapeutic confirmatory phase 3 clinical trial

Lee SH, Han KA, Hong EG, Kang JG, Chung CH, Won JC, Jeon EJ, Cho JH et al.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026

172 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg compared to placebo as add-on treatment for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) uncontrolled after ≥8 weeks of treatment with metformin and sitagliptin.

Materials and methods: A randomised, double-blind, multicentre, therapeutic confirmatory, phase 3 clinical trial was conducted in 172 patients with T2DM. Participants with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels 7%-10% receiving sitagliptin and metformin were randomised 1:1:1 to empagliflozin 10 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg, or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.

Results: After 24 weeks of treatment, HbA1c levels were significantly decreased in the empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg group versus the placebo group; the adjusted mean differences with empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg versus placebo were -0.7% (95% CI -1.0, -0.4; p <.0001) and -0.8% (95% CI -1.1, -0.5; p <.0001), respectively. Fasting plasma glucose levels were also significantly decreased in both empagliflozin groups compared to the placebo group (both p <.0001). More patients reached HbA1c <7% or <6.5% after 24 weeks in the empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg groups versus the placebo group (both p <.05). Efficacy was maintained in the empagliflozin groups during a 28-week extension period. Empagliflozin add-on was associated with improvements in albuminuria and body weight. The incidence of adverse events was similar across groups; add-on empagliflozin was…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 172 participants or records.

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