Empagliflozin
About Empagliflozin
Empagliflozin is a prescription medicine used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also prescribed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease and to support patients living with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
You should take this medicine consistently once a day, typically in the morning. It can be taken with or without food. For the best results, it is important to combine this treatment with a balanced, low-glycemic diet and regular physical exercise.
While taking this medicine, some people may experience mild side effects like yeast infections or urinary tract infections. You must consult your doctor immediately if you develop serious symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing.
Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney failure, are on dialysis, or are allergic to any of its ingredients. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreas problems, liver damage, frequent urinary tract infections, or if you are on a low-sodium diet.
This medicine can interact with water pills or other blood sugar medications, which can increase your risk of dehydration or low blood sugar. If you are pregnant, planning to breastfeed, or are an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Empagliflozin
• Management of Type 2 diabetes: Empagliflozin helps to manage type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and improving glycemic control.
• Cardiovascular benefits: Empagliflozin also offers cardiovascular benefits by reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Weight management: Empagliflozin can aid in weight loss by causing the body to excrete excess glucose through urine, leading to a reduction in body weight.
• Renal protection: Empagliflozin may be involved in protecting kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes, slowing the progression of diabetic kidney disease.
• Lowering blood pressure: Empagliflozin can also help in lowering blood pressure levels, providing additional benefits for patients with diabetes and hypertension.
Medicinal Benefits
Empagliflozin helps lower blood sugar levels while providing additional benefits for heart and kidney health. By helping the body remove excess sugar through the urine, it supports overall diabetes management and long-term well-being.
- Controls Blood Sugar Levels: Helps lower and maintain blood sugar levels within the target range, supporting effective diabetes management.
- Protects Heart Health: Helps reduce the workload on the heart and may lower the risk of cardiovascular complications and hospitalisation for heart failure.
- Supports Kidney Function: Helps protect kidney health and may slow the progression of diabetes-related kidney disease.
- Reduces the Risk of Diabetes Complications: Good blood sugar control may help lower the risk of complications affecting the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and blood vessels.
- Supports Overall Well-Being: By improving blood sugar control and protecting vital organs, it may help maintain energy levels and quality of life.
Directions for Use
To get the safest and most effective results from your treatment, follow these simple steps:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.
- Take this medicine once a day, preferably in the morning.
- You can take your dose with or without food.
Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding your dosing schedule, and do not make any changes to your routine without consulting them first.
Storage
Side Effects of Empagliflozin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Yeast infections (in both men and women)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- Increased thirst or dry mouth
- Mild nausea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing)
- Ketoacidosis (high acid levels in the blood), marked by nausea, vomiting, deep abdominal pain, confusion, extreme tiredness, or trouble breathing
- Serious urinary tract infections, causing back pain, fever, chills, or pain when urinating
- A rare but severe skin infection in the genital area (Fournier's gangrene), causing pain, redness, or swelling, accompanied by a fever
- Severe dehydration, leading to extreme dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out
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Drug Warnings
- Monitor Blood Sugar Regularly: Check your blood sugar levels as recommended by your healthcare team to ensure the medicine is working effectively.
- Check Your Feet Daily: Inspect your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, or other changes, and report any concerns to your doctor promptly.
- Watch for Signs of Dehydration: Be alert for symptoms such as excessive thirst, dizziness, or reduced urination, especially during hot weather, heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
- Discuss Upcoming Surgery: Inform your doctor if you are scheduled for surgery, as you may need to temporarily stop taking Empagliflozin to reduce the risk of ketoacidosis.
- Attend Regular Health Check-Ups: Keep all appointments for blood tests and kidney function monitoring so your doctor can assess your progress and safety during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Empagliflozin and may require dose adjustments or additional monitoring:
- Water pills (diuretics): Taking these with Empagliflozin can increase your risk of dehydration and low blood pressure.
- Insulin or sulfonylureas: Using these other diabetes medications alongside Empagliflozin can increase your risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol while on this medication increases the risk of developing a dangerous, acid-building condition called ketoacidosis, and can cause unpredictable changes in your blood sugar.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking Empagliflozin, as special precautions may be required:
- Severe kidney disease: This medicine should not be used if you have severe kidney failure or are on dialysis, as it relies on proper kidney function to work.
- Pancreatic disease: A history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery may increase your risk of developing ketoacidosis while taking this medication.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advisable not to consume alcohol along with Empagliflozin to avoid unpleasant side effects like lactic acidosis.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorEmpagliflozin is not recommended during pregnancy. However, your doctor may prescribe it for you during pregnancy if he/she feel the benefit outweighs the risk. You should not take Empagliflozin without a doctor's advice.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorEmpagliflozin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding or if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedEmpagliflozin should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery/tools.
Liver
cautionEmpagliflozin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
Kidney
cautionEmpagliflozin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose depending on your renal function. Empagliflozin is not recommended in severe kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is therefore important if you're taking Empagliflozin.
Children
unsafeEmpagliflozin is not recommended for children below ten years of age. The dose is to be adjusted and recommended only by a child specialist for children over 10 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay Well-Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support kidney function and help prevent dehydration.
- Follow a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and other nutritious foods while limiting sugary and highly processed foods.
- Stay Physically Active: Engage in regular moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling, to support blood sugar control and overall health.
- Maintain Good Personal Hygiene: Practice good personal hygiene to help reduce the risk of yeast infections and other genital infections.
- Limit Alcohol Intake: Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it may increase the risk of dehydration, low blood sugar, and ketoacidosis.
Special Advise
Keep taking Empagliflozin even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose; consult your treating physician for advice.
- Take short, frequent meals, and avoid prolonged fasting when taking Empagliflozin. Beware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc. Whenever you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, immediately consume 5-6 candies, 3 glucose biscuits, or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar, and get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially during long travels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disease that keeps the body from properly utilising insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or have resistance to insulin action. Middle-aged or older individuals are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, weight gain may occur; in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complications of type 2 diabetes also include neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), retinopathy (damaged retina of the eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increased chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Empagliflozin is used to treat type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone cannot control your blood sugar levels.
Empagliflozin contains empagliflozin, which blocks the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) enzyme in the kidney's proximal tubules. It lowers renal reabsorption of glucose and increases urine excretion of glucose via inhibiting SGLT2. As a result, it lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Yes, Empagliflozin can cause a mild stomach upset. However, do not stop taking it. Discuss with your doctor if you have severe stomach upset.
If you feel thirsty after taking Empagliflozin, it may be because of dehydration as Empagliflozin can lead to loss of fluids. Increase intake of fluids. If you still feel thirsty, please consult your doctor.
If you have symptoms like increased hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination (usually at night), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound/sores healing, and frequent infections, contact a doctor as it can be a condition of type 2 diabetes.
If you feel your blood sugar is dropping and you are feeling weak, eat sugar candies or drink sugary beverages immediately. It will help balance your blood sugar levels. So, it is advisable to keep sugar candies with you.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but life-threatening condition in which there is too much lactic acid buildup in the bloodstream. Long-term intake of Empagliflozin may lead to lactic acidosis when cells are deprived of oxygen. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include a burning sensation in the muscles, muscle ache, fast breathing, nausea, and stomach pain. Contact the doctor immediately about this complication.
Empagliflozin should be avoided in patients who are allergic to any of the components or excipients of this medicine. It should be avoided in patients suffering from moderate to severe kidney disease or liver disease. It is also not advised to use this drug if you drink too much alcohol. Make sure to inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should have an HbA1c test every 3 months.
No. To date, there is no clinical evidence that states that Empagliflozin affects fertility in either men or women.
Hypoglycaemia refers to low blood sugar levels. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia include nausea, headache, irritability, hunger, sweating, and dizziness.
Empagliflozin should be swallowed as a whole with water. Do not crush or chew it.
Empagliflozin should not be discontinued without a doctor's consultation. Stopping Empagliflozin might increase blood sugar levels.
Empagliflozin can be used with other diabetes medicines if prescribed by the doctor.
Taking Empagliflozin with other anti-diabetic medicines may cause hypoglycaemia. Symptoms include headache, excessive hunger, sweating, shaking, confusion, and a fast heart rate. Carry glucose biscuits or candy and consume them if you experience these symptoms.
A haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It helps measure the amount of blood glucose attached to haemoglobin. It is used to monitor your condition and check how well you've been able to control your blood sugar levels.
Empagliflozin may add to the diuretic effects of furosemide, increasing the risk of dehydration, kidney problems, and low blood pressure. This may cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. Before starting Empagliflozin, consult the doctor if you are taking furosemide.
Side effects of Empagliflozin include thrush (genital yeast infection), increased urination, itching, rash or red skin, thirst, and constipation.
No, this medicine is only approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. It should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes. Talk to your doctor for appropriate treatment options.
Yes, many patients experience mild weight loss while taking this medicine. This is because the medication helps your body remove excess sugar and fluid through your urine. Talk to your doctor for more details about managing your weight.
The medicine begins working to lower your blood sugar within a few hours of taking your first dose. However, it may take several weeks of consistent use to see the full benefits in your HbA1c levels or cardiovascular health. Talk to your doctor to monitor your progress.
No, you should never stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Stopping your medication suddenly can cause your blood sugar levels to rise again. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.
Because this medicine works by removing excess sugar from your body through your urine, the increased sugar in your urinary tract can encourage the growth of yeast. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience symptoms like itching, redness, or discomfort.
You can take this medication with or without food. It is best to take it at the same time each day, usually in the morning, to help you stay consistent. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help planning your daily routine.
Ketoacidosis is a rare but life-threatening condition where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. While uncommon, this medicine can increase the risk of ketoacidosis, even if your blood sugar levels seem normal. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or breathing difficulties.
This medicine is generally not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as it may affect the developing baby's kidneys. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor immediately to discuss alternative treatments.
