Skip to content

Empagliflozin vs Metformin in PCOS

The Effect of Empagliflozin Versus Metformin on Hormonal, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - a Randomised Open-label Parallel Study.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03008551
Enrollment
40
Registered
2017-01-02
Start date
2017-08-18
Completion date
2018-04-02
Last updated
2019-07-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Brief summary

This a randomised open-label parallel study involving women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The patients will be randomised either to metformin 1500mg or empagliflozin 25mg daily for three months. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of empagliflozin on hormonal, metabolic and cardiovascular risk markers and quality of life in women with PCOS.

Detailed description

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common condition in women that may present with irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face and body, acne and cysts in the ovaries. PCOS is also associated with increased risk of problems later in life like diabetes, high cholesterol levels and heart disease. In this study, a medication named Empagliflozin will be tested. Empagliflozin belongs to a class of medicines known as SGLT-2 inhibitors. SGLT-2 stands for sodium glucose co-transporter 2. Empagliflozin, in simple terms, helps in reducing high blood glucose levels by increasing the amount of glucose passed in your urine. This medicine is usually used in patients with type 2 diabetes and has led to improved blood pressure and weight loss in addition to improving blood glucose levels. We want to give Empagliflozin to women with PCOS to see its effect on hormones related to PCOS and the risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. We will be comparing its effects to metformin (another drug for diabetes) which has already been used in PCOS with very good results.

Interventions

DRUGEmpagliflozin

Each participant will receive empagliflozin 25mg daily for 3 months.

DRUGMetformin

Each participant will receive metformin 1500mg daily for 3 months.

Sponsors

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Women, aged 18-45 years (inclusive), with confirmed diagnosis of PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria. 2. Presence of both irregular periods and biochemical hyperandrogenaemia 3. Body mass index ≥25 4. Negative pregnancy test during screening visit and agree to use barrier contraception during the study period.

Exclusion criteria

1. Non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency, hyperprolactinaemia, Cushing's disease and androgen-secreting tumours will be excluded by appropriate tests. 2. Confirmed diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes. 3. Ongoing, inadequately controlled thyroid disorder (subjects on thyroid hormone replacement therapy must be on stable dose for at least 3 months before screening day) 4. History or presence of malignant neoplasms within the last 5 years (except basal and squamous cell skin cancer and in-situ carcinoma). 5. History or plan of any form of gastrointestinal tract surgery. 6. History of pancreatitis (Acute or Chronic). 7. Any disorder which in the opinion of the investigator might jeopardize subject's safety. 8. Subjects who are on any of the following medications within 3 months of recruitment: * Metformin or other insulin-sensitizing medications (e.g., pioglitazone ) * Hormonal contraceptives (e.g., birth control pills, hormone-releasing implants, etc.) * Anti-androgens (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide, finasteride, etc.) * Clomiphene citrate or estrogen modulators such as letrozole * GnRH modulators such as leuprolide * Minoxidil 9. Female who is pregnant, breast feeding or intended to become pregnant or of child bearing potential not using adequate contraceptive methods. 10. eGFR\<60 11. Hypersensitivity to lactose 12. Severe hepatic impairment (ALT \>3 times ULN) 13. Women with history of recurrent urinary tract infections. 14. Haematocrit above the upper limit of normal range. 15. Have been involved in another medicinal trial (CTIMP) within the past four weeks. 16. Known hypersensitivity to the Investigational Medicinal Products or any of their excipients.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Endothelial function as measured by RHI (reactive hyperaemia index).Three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyEndothelial function as measured by RHI (reactive hyperaemia index) will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Insulin resistance as measured by HOMA (fasting glucose & insulin)Three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyInsulin resistance as measured by HOMA (fasting glucose & insulin) will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Body weightThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyBody weight will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Blood pressureThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyBlood pressure will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Inflammatory markers (hsCRP)Three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyInflammatory markers (hsCRP) will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Hormonal parameters including free androgen indexThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyHormonal parameters including free androgen index will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Endothelial function measured by microparticlesThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyEndothelial function measured by microparticles will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Quality of life QuestionnaireThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg dailyQuality of life will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily
Lipid profileThree months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg dailyLipid profile will be assessed after three months treatment with either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin S/R 1500mg daily

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026