Empagliflozin

💊 What is Empagliflozin used for?

• •Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death and hospital stays for heart failure in adults with heart failure
• •Reducing the risk of further kidney decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of getting worse
• •Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease
• •Improving blood sugar control, along with diet and exercise, in adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes

How it works

The label describes empagliflozin as an SGLT2 inhibitor. It says these medicines increase the amount of glucose removed from the body in urine. The label does not describe its effects in more detail.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says it is taken by mouth once a day in the morning. It can be taken with or without food. The label says it should be used as part of a diet and exercise plan for blood sugar control. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist about how to take it.

Comes as

• •10 mg pale yellow, round, film-coated tablets
• •25 mg pale yellow, oval, film-coated tablets

⚠️ Empagliflozin side effects

🛑 Who should not take Empagliflozin, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in Jardiance.
• 🚨The label says it is not recommended to improve blood sugar control in people with type 1 diabetes, because it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
• 🚨The label says it is not recommended to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it is likely to be ineffective.
• 🚨The label says it is not recommended for chronic kidney disease in people with polycystic kidney disease, or who are receiving or have recently received certain immunosuppressive therapy or high-dose prednisone for kidney disease, because it is not expected to work in these groups.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your provider if you have type 1 diabetes or have had diabetic ketoacidosis.
• •Tell your provider if your insulin dose has been lowered, or if you have a serious infection.
• •Tell your provider about past vaginal or penis infections, or any history of amputation.
• •Tell your provider about kidney problems, liver problems, urinary tract infections, or trouble with urination.
• •Tell your provider if you follow a low-sodium (salt) diet. The label says your provider may change your diet or dose.
• •Tell your provider if you are going to have surgery. The label says your provider may stop the medicine before surgery.
• •The label says to check with your provider about fluid intake, because the medicine can cause dehydration.

🔀 Empagliflozin with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Diuretics (water pills): these can add to the risk of volume depletion. The label says your provider should check your fluid status and kidney function.
• •Insulin or sulfonylureas: taking these together can raise the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your provider may lower the dose of these medicines.
• •Lithium: the label says an SGLT2 inhibitor may lower lithium levels, so lithium levels may need to be checked more often.
• •Urine glucose tests: the label says these are not recommended for monitoring blood sugar control while taking this medicine, because the medicine causes glucose to appear in urine.
• •1,5-AG assay: the label says this test is not reliable for checking blood sugar control with this medicine.

Alcohol and food

The label says the medicine can be taken with or without food. It also lists drinking too much alcohol as a condition that can increase the risk of ketoacidosis.

🤰 Empagliflozin in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says that, based on animal data showing effects on the kidneys, empagliflozin is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It also says there is limited data in pregnant women. The label notes that poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy carries risks for both the mother and the baby. Talk with your provider about your situation.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Short excursions to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) are permitted.

If a dose is missed

The label says that if a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

If too much is taken

The label says that in case of an overdose, you should consider contacting the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or a medical toxicologist for management advice. It also says removal of empagliflozin by hemodialysis has not been studied.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Empagliflozin

• Is Jardiance right for my heart, kidney, or blood sugar condition?
• What signs of ketoacidosis should I watch for, and when should I call you?
• How much fluid should I drink each day while taking this medicine?
• Should my insulin or other diabetes medicines be adjusted?
• What should I do before surgery or a procedure?
• What should I do if I get a yeast infection or urinary symptoms?
• How will my kidney function and ketone levels be checked?

❓ Empagliflozin: frequently asked questions