Empagliflozin is used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (disease in which blood sugar is excessively high because the body does not manufacture or use insulin normally). It may also be used in combination with other drugs, diet, and exercise. When a person has type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and blood vessel disease, empagliflozin is also used to lower their risk of stroke, heart attack, or death. Adults with heart failure can also use empagliflozin to lower their risk of passing away from heart and blood vessel illness and hospitalisation. A group of drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors includes empagliflozin. By encouraging the kidneys to excrete more glucose through urine, it reduces blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes, in which the body does not make insulin and is therefore unable to manage the quantity of sugar in the blood, and diabetic ketoacidosis, a hazardous condition that may arise if high blood sugar is not addressed, are not treated with empagliflozin.

People with diabetes and high blood sugar over time may experience serious or fatal complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney issues, nerve damage, and vision issues. It may be possible to control your diabetes and enhance your health by taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and quitting smoking), and monitoring your blood sugar frequently. This treatment may also lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage (resulting in numb, cold legs or feet and diminished sex capacity in both men and women), eye issues, such as changes in eyesight or blindness, or gum disease, which are all symptoms of diabetes. The optimal strategy to manage your diabetes will be discussed with you by your doctor and other healthcare professionals.

An oral pill is available for taking empagliflozin. It is often taken in the morning, once a day, with or without food. Take empagliflozin every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take empagliflozin as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Starting with a modest dose of empagliflozin, your doctor may gradually raise it as needed.

Although it does not treat your illness, empagliflozin helps you manage it. Empagliflozin should still be taken even if you feel fine. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking empagliflozin.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking empagliflozin,

• If you have any allergies, including to any of the chemicals in empagliflozin tablets, tell your doctor and chemist very away. Request a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal items, nutritional supplements, and other drugs you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril, in Zestoretic), enalapril (Epaned, Vasotec, in Vaseretic), and captopril are all blood pressure medications, ramipril (Altace), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), moexipril, perindopril (in Prestalia), and trandolapril; angiotensin receptor blockers like eprosartan (Teveten), candesartan (Atacand), and azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor), olmesartan, Benicar, Azor, Benicar HCT, Tribenzor, irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and valsartan (Diovan, in Diovan HCT, in Exforge); digoxin (Lanoxin); insulin, diuretics (often known as “water pills”), glimepiride (Amaryl, in Duetact), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), and tolbutamide are examples of oral diabetes treatments. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you receive dialysis, let your doctor know. Your physician might advise against taking empagliflozin.
• If you regularly consume alcohol, occasionally consume large amounts of alcohol quickly (binge drinking), or follow a low sodium diet, let your doctor know. Additionally, let your doctor know if you suffer from or have ever experienced yeast infections in the genital area, kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure, pancreatic disease, including pancreatitis (pancreatic swelling), or have had surgery on your pancreas. Men should let their doctors know if they have never had circumcision. If you are eating less because of an illness, surgery, a change in your diet, or if you are unable to eat or drink normally because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or if you become dehydrated from spending too much time in the sun, let your doctor know.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. While using empagliflozin, refrain from breastfeeding. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking empagliflozin.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking empagliflozin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• Alcohol may alter blood sugar levels. Inquire with your doctor if drinking alcohol is okay for you to do while taking canagliflozin.
• You should be aware that when you rise up too rapidly from a laying position, empagliflozin may produce dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Call your doctor if this is a concern of yours. When you initially begin taking empagliflozin, this issue is more prevalent. Get out of bed gradually, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up, to avoid this issue.
• In the event that you become ill, encounter exceptional stress, a feverish infection, or an injury, consult your doctor for advice. Your blood sugar levels and potential empagliflozin dosage may be impacted by certain factors.

Make sure to abide by all dietary and exercise advice given to you by your physician or nutritionist. It’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet and get frequent exercise. While taking this medication, make sure to hydrate properly throughout the day as directed by your doctor.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Your blood sugar levels may alter as a result of this drug. You should be aware of the signs of low and high blood sugar as well as what to do if you experience these signs.

There could be negative effects from empagliflozin. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• A lot of urination, including at night
• Heightened thirst

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Frequent, throbbing, painful, or urgent urinating
• Hazy, red, pink, or brown urine
• Back or pelvic pain
• Vaginal odour, white or yellowish vaginal discharge that may be lumpy or resemble cottage cheese, or vaginal irritation are all common in women
• Redness, rash, itching, or swelling of the penis; discharge from the penis that smells bad; or soreness in the area of skin around the penis (in men).
• Feeling exhausted, weak, or uneasy; fever; and genital discomfort, soreness, redness, or swelling; or the region between the genitalia and the rectum;
• Flu-like signs

You should stop taking empagliflozin and contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or seek emergency medical attention:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Face, throat, tongue, lips, mouth, or eyes swelling
• Hoarseness

You should stop taking empagliflozin and call your doctor right away if you see any of the following ketoacidosis symptoms. You should also seek emergency medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL, try to check for ketones in your urine:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Tiredness
• Having trouble breathing

Other negative effects of empagliflozin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilizing a medicine take-back program is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programs in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back program, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. You should routinely check your blood sugar levels to see how empagliflozin is impacting you. To monitor your reaction to empagliflozin, your doctor will also prescribe additional lab tests, such as HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin). Your doctor will also instruct you on how to measure your blood sugar levels at home in order to monitor your reaction to this medicine. Pay close attention to these directions.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking empagliflozin prior to any laboratory test. Your urine may test positive for glucose because of the way this drug functions.

Wearing a diabetes identity bracelet will ensure that you receive the right care in an emergency.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.