Empagliflozin

What empagliflozin is for

Empagliflozin can be used as a treatment for:

• type 2 diabetes
• heart failure
• chronic kidney disease (CKD)

If you have too much sugar (glucose) in your body, empagliflozin works by getting rid of the extra sugar when you pee. It can also reduce the amount of work your heart needs to do to pump blood around the body.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe empagliflozin alongside another diabetes treatment. There are also some combination tablets, which contain empagliflozin mixed with another medicine.

How to take empagliflozin

Empagliflozin usually comes as tablets that you take once a day. Most people need to take it long term.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You can take them with or without food, but try to take them at the same time each day.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

If you’re being sick (vomiting), have diarrhoea or a high temperature while taking empagliflozin, there's a risk you'll get dehydrated. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice, or follow the advice they've already given you.

If you miss a dose of empagliflozin

If you forget to take a dose of empagliflozin, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose.

If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you take too much empagliflozin

Taking an extra dose of empagliflozin is unlikely to cause problems, but it’s important to get medical advice if you take too much as it can sometimes be dangerous.

Side effects of empagliflozin

Like all medicines, empagliflozin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of empagliflozin include:

• thrush
• needing to pee more than usual
• feeling more thirsty than usual
• skin rash – the rash may be itchy or raised and your skin may look red or a different colour to usual

If you take empagliflozin alongside another diabetic medicine, it may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia, or a hypo). This can make you feel dizzy, feel sick (nauseous), be sick (vomit), feel very hungry or very tired.

If you get symptoms of low blood sugar there are things you can do to treat it yourself. If this happens often, see your GP.

Empagliflozin should not affect your ability to drive, but if you have symptoms of a hypo – such as feeling sleepy, dizziness or blurred vision – do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Serious side effects

Empagliflozin can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of empagliflozin include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or angioedema – which cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
• diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that makes you feel very thirsty, confused, unusually tired or causes breath that smells sweet
• severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) – causing symptoms such as a high temperature, feeling shivery or a burning sensation when you pee
• a serious infection that affects the vagina and penis (Fournier's gangrene) – causing symptoms such as severe pain, swelling, redness and blisters

Who can and cannot take empagliflozin

Most adults can take empagliflozin.

But empagliflozin is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or other serious side effect from empagliflozin or a similar medicine such as dapagliflozin
• you have type 1 diabetes
• you have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or you're at higher risk of getting DKA
• you have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• you have kidney or liver problems
• you often get urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Before taking empagliflozin, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and empagliflozin

Empagliflozin is not usually used when breastfeeding. Your doctor may recommend a different medicine to treat your condition.

If you have diabetes, it’s important that it’s managed while you're breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and empagliflozin

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. They may want to switch you to a different medicine to treat your condition, as empagliflozin is not usually taken during pregnancy.

If you have diabetes, it's important that it's well controlled if you're pregnant, both for your health and to prevent any complications.

Find out more about taking antidiabetic drugs, including empagliflozin, during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking empagliflozin with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with empagliflozin.

This includes:

• medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)
• medicines that lower your blood pressure
• epilepsy medicines, such as phenytoin
• some antibiotics, such as rifampicin for treating tuberculosis (TB)

Before taking empagliflozin, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with empagliflozin

You can eat and drink as normal while taking empagliflozin.

If you have type 2 diabetes, follow the general dietary advice you've been given to help control your diabetes.

Try to limit how much alcohol you drink while taking empagliflozin as this can increase the risk of side effects like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).