Empagliflozin brands and prices in Pakistan

About Empagliflozin

Empagliflozin is a prescription tablet from a group of medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors. It makes the kidneys remove extra sugar from the blood and pass it out in the urine, which lowers blood sugar. It also helps the heart and kidneys: it eases the work the heart has to do in heart failure, and lowers pressure and inflammation inside the kidneys. It controls these conditions but does not cure them, so you keep taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• It is for adults. People aged 75 or over should check with their doctor first.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to empagliflozin or any other medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have high blood sugar with ketones in your urine, or have had diabetic ketoacidosis before.
• Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, or often get urine or genital infections.
• Tell your doctor if you have had pancreatitis or pancreas surgery, foot ulcers, nerve damage or poor blood flow in the legs, or an amputation.
• Tell your doctor if you drink a lot of alcohol, or follow a ketogenic (very low-carbohydrate) or low-salt diet.
• Tell your doctor or dentist if you are going to have an operation or procedure. You may need to stop it for a short time beforehand and while you recover, because of the risk of ketoacidosis.
• Pregnancy: not recommended, because there is little information about its effect on the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, and tell them if you become pregnant while taking it.
• Breastfeeding: not usually recommended. It might lower the baby's blood sugar. Your doctor may suggest another medicine.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Insulin and sulfonylureas such as gliclazide: the risk of low blood sugar is higher, and your doctor may lower the dose of these
• Water tablets (diuretics) such as furosemide
• Blood pressure medicines such as ramipril or amlodipine
• Other medicines that can lower blood pressure, including some antidepressants, nitrates for chest pain, baclofen, tamsulosin, and levodopa or co-careldopa
• Herbal products such as karela (bitter gourd), turmeric and ginseng, which may lower blood sugar
• Everyday painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are fine to take with it (NHS)
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies and supplements you take.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water; do not chew it.
• If you forget a dose, check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist whether to take it or skip it. Never take two doses to make up for a missed one.
• Keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor, as your condition could get worse.
• If you are ill with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or not eating and drinking normally, ask your doctor whether to stop it for a while ("sick day" advice), because dehydration raises the risk of ketoacidosis.
• Ask your doctor before fasting (for example during Ramadan), starting a very low-carbohydrate diet, or doing very long, hard exercise.
• Drink enough fluids through the day, unless your doctor has told you to limit them.
• If you also take insulin or gliclazide, carry sweets or fruit juice in case of a hypo. Do not drive or use machines if a hypo affects you.
• Keep the genital area clean to help prevent infections, and stand up slowly if you feel dizzy.
• Cut down on foods and drinks with added sugar, and follow the diet and exercise advice your doctor gives you.

Common questions

Can I drink alcohol while taking empagliflozin?
Sources differ. NHS says you can, but alcohol raises the risk of low blood sugar, so do not drink on an empty stomach and keep within safe limits. The Singapore HealthHub leaflet advises avoiding alcohol. Heavy drinking also raises the risk of ketoacidosis, so ask your doctor what is safe for you.

Why do I pee more often on this medicine?
Empagliflozin works by removing extra sugar through your urine, so you may pee more often. Drink plenty of sugar-free fluids to avoid dehydration. See a doctor if it does not settle or you get signs of a urine infection.

Will empagliflozin make me lose weight?
It does not cause weight gain, and some people lose weight, because sugar is passed out in the urine.

I don't have diabetes. Why have I been given a diabetes medicine?
Empagliflozin is also used for heart failure and chronic kidney disease, even in people without diabetes. In heart failure it reduces the heart's workload, and in kidney disease it slows the damage. You may not feel different, but it still helps.

Does it affect contraception?
No. NHS says it does not stop any type of contraception working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.