Men prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of external genital infections, including Fournier’s gangrene, than those prescribed GLPs, a population-based study suggests.

Data from nearly 240,000 Taiwanese men revealed that those newly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors had a 1.5 times greater risk of male external genital infections (MEGI), including balanoposthitis, scrotal infections and epididymo-orchitis.

A sub-analysis showed the risk was more pronounced with men under 60 and those with better kidney function and well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c less than 7%).

The cumulative incidence of MEGI increased over a three-year follow-up period, said the researchers from the National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan.