About this trial
This study is looking at whether empagliflozin, a medication typically used for diabetes and heart conditions, may affect factors that contribute to kidney stone formation. The research focuses on people who have had calcium-based kidney stones, i.e. calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones.
Previous studies in those without kidney stones found that empagliflozin increased urinary citrate levels without raising urine pH. The investigators are testing whether similar effects occur in people with a history of kidney stones.
Participants will take empagliflozin daily for 4 weeks. The investigators will collect 24-hour urine samples before and after treatment to measure various factors that influence stone formation, including citrate levels, pH, and calculated stone formation risk. The investigators will enroll 32 participants: 16 with a history of calcium oxalate stones and 16 with calcium phosphate stones.
Results from this study may inform future larger clinical trials investigating empagliflozin as a kidney stone prevention strategy.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Age 18-70
History of at least one calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) stone
Defined as at least 50% of stone material on most recent stone analysis
Age 18-70
Disqualifiers
History of primarily brushite, uric acid, cysteine, or struvite stones
History of severe acid-base abnormality, very low (less than 100mg/day) or very high (greater than 1500mg/day) urine citrate
Participants who cannot stop diuretic medication or alkali supplementation for the course of the study period
Use of drugs that can directly affect proximal tubule function (e.g., topiramate)
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Empagliflozin (Jardiance®)
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
University of Chicago
Lead sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Collaborator