Taking dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for type 2 diabetes is associated with worsening kidney function even in patients already on modern protective medications, reports infohub.kz.
New data presented at the 63rd Congress of the European Renal Association (ERA) highlight the risks of using dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DCCBs). These antihypertensive drugs are often prescribed as a second-line therapy for diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Researchers analyzed medical records of 31,031 adults with type 2 diabetes from 2016 to 2021. All participants were already receiving standard protective treatment with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Of these, 12,172 (39.2%) also took DCCBs, while 18,859 (60%) took other blood pressure medications. Patients were followed for an average of about 3.5 years.
The study found that DCCB use was associated with a 33% higher risk of severe kidney outcomes. This category included a 40% or greater decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and progression to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplantation.
According to lead author Dr. Timna Agur, DCCBs dilate the afferent arterioles of the kidneys more than the efferent ones. This imbalance creates excess pressure within the filtering units and may accelerate their damage. The authors emphasize the need for randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.