Patients with chronic kidney disease can now be prescribed dapagliflozin regardless of diabetes status after the TGA approved its use to halt decline in renal function.

Last week, the regulator updated the product information for the SGLT2 inhibitor to include a new indication for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2-4 and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 30mg/g or more.

Although dapagliflozin was already indicated for glycaemic control and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the move represented the first significant advance in CKD treatment in more than 20 years, clinicians said.

Leading nephrologist Professor Carol Pollock, from the University of Sydney and North Shore Private Hospital, said the new indication would lead to better patient outcomes and reduce deaths.