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Recruiting Phase 4 NCT04447911

NCT04447911 Effects of the SGLT2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin in Patients With Euvolemic and Hypervolemic Hyponatremia

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04447911
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 4
Sponsor University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Condition Hyponatremia
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 172 participants
Start Date 2021-02-04
Primary Completion 2027-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Empagliflozin 25 MGPlacebo

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 4 studies follow an already-approved treatment in real-world conditions to monitor long-term safety and effectiveness.

This trial targets 172 participants in total. It began in 2021-02-04 with a primary completion date of 2027-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte derangement occurring in hospitalized patients. It is usually classified as hypovolemic, euvolemic or hypervolemic. The most common aetiology of euvolemic hyponatremia is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). Hypervolemic hyponatremia is common in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) (10-27%) and liver cirrhosis (up to approximately 50%). In SIAD, the regulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion is impaired which leads to free water retention. In CHF and liver cirrhosis, the effective arterial blood volume is decreased leading to non-osmotic baroreceptor mediated AVP release and consecutive free water retention. Current treatments of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia, including the most used treatment fluid restriction, are of limited efficacy. Sodium-Glucose-Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule, resulting in glucosuria and consecutive osmotic diuresis. A placebo-controlled randomized trial of our group has shown that a short-term, i.e. a 4-days administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin (Jardiance)® in addition to fluid restriction was effective in increasing the serum sodium concentration in 87 patients with SIAD-induced hyponatremia. The effect of empagliflozin (Jardiance)® without additional fluid restriction is however not yet known. Large randomized controlled trials have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced hospitalization for heart failure in patients with, and more recently without type 2 diabetes. No studies have investigated the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors in hypervolemic hyponatremia. To evaluate the effect of empagliflozin (Jardiance)® in eu- and hypervolemic hyponatremia, a randomized placebo-controlled study is needed.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: \- chronic eu- OR hypervolemic non hyperosmolar (\<300 mOsm/kg) hyponatremia (heparin plasma sodium \<135 mmol/L on day of inclusion) Exclusion Criteria: * known hypersensitivity or allergy to class of drugs or the investigational product, * severe symptomatic hyponatremia in need of treatment with 3% NaCl-solution or in need of intensive/intermediate care treatment at time of inclusion * clinical hypovolemia * Severe reduction of eGFR \<20 mL/min/1,73 m2 (KDIGO G4 and G5) or end stage renal disease * Chronic liver insufficiency with Child Pugh Score ≥10 or decompensated liver cirrhosis (jaundice, hepatorenal syndrome, encephalopathy, bleeding, …) * Hepatic impairment defined as aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) \>3x the upper limit of normal (ULN); or total bilirubin \>2x ULN at time of enrolment * uncontrolled hypothyroidism * uncontrolled adrenal insufficiency * systolic blood pressure \<90mmHg * contraindication for lowering blood pressure * diabetes mellitus type 1 or pancreatic diabetes mellitus * treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors, lithium chloride, vaptans, demeclocycline or urea on inclusion day * severe immunosuppression (leucocytes \<2 G/l) * peripheral arterial disease stage III-IV of the Fontaine Classification * fasting or other reasons preventing medication intake * previous enrolment into the current study * participation in another intervention study * pregnancy, breastfeeding, intention to become pregnant during the course of the study or lack of safe contraception. * end of life care

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Mirjam Christ-Crain, Prof

✉ Mirjam.Christ-Crain@usb.ch

📞 +41 61 328 70 80

Principal Investigator

Julie Refardt, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04447911 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Hyponatremia. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT04447911 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 4 studies are conducted after a treatment has been approved. They monitor long-term safety and real-world effectiveness in a broader patient population.

Is NCT04447911 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04447911 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Mirjam.Christ-Crain@usb.ch for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04447911 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Würzburg, Germany, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Lausanne, Switzerland, Basel, Switzerland and 2 additional locations.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04447911 clinical trial?

NCT04447911 is sponsored by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. The principal investigator is Julie Refardt, MD at University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. The trial plans to enroll 172 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology