Empagliflozin
About
Empagliflozin belongs to a group of antidiabetic medicines (sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors). Empagliflozin is prescribed for the condition of type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone cannot control their blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin that it makes does not work properly.
Empagliflozin contains empagliflozin, which works by blocking 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.
Take Empagliflozin as prescribed. You are advised to take Empagliflozin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as thrush, pain or a burning feeling when you pee, peeing more than normal, and mild skin rash or itchy skin. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not consume Empagliflozin if you are allergic to any component present in Empagliflozin. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking Empagliflozin. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Empagliflozin since it may produce unpleasant side effects. There is limited information available about the use of Empagliflozin in children, therefore, it is not recommended to use in children. Inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking as well as your medical history to rule out any undesirable side effects or interactions.
Uses of Empagliflozin
Medicinal Benefits
Empagliflozin plays a vital role in managing diabetes and achieving good control of blood sugar levels by delaying the absorption of sugar and increasing insulin sensitivity in the body. Empagliflozin does not cause a sudden lowering of the blood glucose level or cause significant hypoglycaemia. In the prediabetic condition, Empagliflozin is the only recommended treatment available. Empagliflozin also helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes such as kidney damage (Diabetic Nephropathy), blindness (Diabetic Retinopathy), loss of sensation in your hands and feet (Diabetic Neuropathy) or even loss of foot! Empagliflozin also helps to reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Empagliflozin
- Thrush (fungal infection)
- Pain or a burning feeling when you pee
- Peeing more than normal
- Mild skin rash or itchy skin
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Empagliflozin, do not consume it. If you suffer heart abnormalities, diabetic ketoacidosis, skin problems, acute pancreatitis, low blood sugar levels, or kidney or liver problems, notify your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking Empagliflozin. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Empagliflozin since it may produce unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking and your medical history to rule out any unwanted side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Empagliflozin may interact with insulin, high blood pressure-lowering pills (hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine), water pills/diuretics (furosemide), antibiotics used for eye infections (gatifloxacin), anti-hypertensive (metoprolol), steroids (prednisolone), thyroid hormones etc. So, tell your doctor if you are using these drugs before taking the Empagliflozin.
Drug-Food Interactions: Taking Empagliflozin with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) and hypoglycaemia.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Empagliflozin should be avoided in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, liver problems, cardiovascular disease (heart-related issues), and low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) as it may worsen the condition.
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
cautionEmpagliflozin is not recommended during pregnancy. However, your doctor may prescribe it for you during pregnancy if he/she feels the benefit outweighs the risk. You should not take Empagliflozin without a doctor's advice.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEmpagliflozin 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. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionEmpagliflozin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending on your renal functions. Empagliflozin is not recommended in severe kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is therefore important if you're taking Empagliflozin.
Children
safe if prescribedEmpagliflozin is not recommended for children below ten years of age. The dose is to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only for children over ten years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include foods rich in healthy carbohydrates and fibre, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables in your diet.
- Try eating food at regular intervals. Do not skip meals. Also, try not to overeat.
- Follow a healthy diet and walk for at least 45minutes to complement treatment with Empagliflozin.
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.
- Rest properly, and avoid stress by doing meditation or yoga.
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, three glucose biscuits, or three 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 away from properly utilizing insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or there is resistance to insulin action. Middle-aged or older 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. There may be weight gain in some cases, while in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also include neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), retinopathy (damaged retina of eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increased chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
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 minor upset of the stomach. However, do not stop taking it. Discuss with your doctor in case of 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 even then you 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 doctor as it can be a condition of type 2 diabetes.
In case you feel that your blood sugar level is going down and you are feeling weak, immediately eat sugar candies or drink sugary beverages. It will help to balance the blood sugar levels in your body. So, it is advisable to keep sugar candies with you.
Lactic acidosis is a rare but life-threatening condition when there is too much lactic acid build up in the bloodstream. Long term intake of Empagliflozin may lead to lactic acidosis when cells get deprived of oxygen levels. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include the burning sensation of the muscle, muscle ache, fast breathing, nausea, and stomach pain. Immediately contact the doctor 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 affected by diabetes, you should have a test of HbA1c once in three months.
No. Till 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, dizziness.
No. Empagliflozin is only prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes, also called 'non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
