Empagliflozin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects. Empagliflozin is also called Jardiance.
Empagliflozin factsheets: Find out how to take it safely and the possible side effects. Translations are available in 9 languages. | |
Video: How to take empagliflozin (Jardiance and Jardiamet)
(Health Navigator NZ and PHARMAC, 2022)
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How to take empagliflozin (NZ Sign Language)
What is empagliflozin?
Empagliflozin is used to treat type 2 diabetes and protect your kidneys and heart. Read more about type 2 diabetes.
Empagliflozin lowers your blood glucose and blood pressure by helping your kidneys get rid of glucose, salt and fluid when you pass urine (pee). Empagliflozin has other benefits such as weight loss, helping your kidneys work better and lowering your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. It may also help you to live longer.
Empagliflozin can be used alone, or with other diabetes medicines (such as metformin), to help manage your glucose levels along with healthy eating and regular exercise. Empagliflozin is also available as a combined tablet with metformin and then it is called Jardiamet.
Dose
- In Aotearoa New Zealand empagliflozin is available as tablets (10 mg and 25 mg).
- The usual starting dose is 1 tablet (10 mg) once a day.
- Depending on your blood glucose levels, your doctor may increase your dose to 25 mg once a day.
- Always take your empagliflozin exactly as your doctor has told you.
- The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.
How to take empagliflozin
- Timing: Take empagliflozin once a day, at the same time each day. Swallow your tablets with a drink of water. You can take empagliflozin with or without food.
- Drink enough water so you don't get thirsty: When you start taking empagliflozin, you may pee more but this gets better over a few weeks. Your doctor may advise how much you should drink, talk to your healthcare team about this if you are not sure.
- Avoid or limit alcohol while you are taking empagliflozin: It may affect your blood glucose control and increase your risk of side effects.
- Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day unless it is 12 hours or less until your next dose is due. If that's the case, take your next dose at the usual time and skip the forgotten dose.
- Don't run out of tablets: Empagliflozin works best when taken every day. See your healthcare team every 3 months for a new prescription.
While you are taking empagliflozin |
Have a sick day planIf you are unwell, stop taking empagliflozin. Taking empagliflozin when you are unwell increases your risk of high ketone levels, which can cause a serious but rare side effect called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Only restart your empagliflozin when you are well AND eating and drinking normally. |
Tell your healthcare team before making any big changes to your dietIf you start eating less or go on a keto (low carbohydrate) diet or are fasting, this may increase your risk of ketoacidosis. |
Keep your genitals cleanBecause you will pee more and have more glucose in your urine, you have a higher risk of getting thrush or groin infections. |
Prepare before an operation or a procedureIf you are going to have an operation or a procedure such as a colonoscopy, ask your healthcare team when you should stop and restart your empagliflozin. You may need to stop your empagliflozin 2 or 3 days before the operation. |
Are you pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding?It is important to talk to GP or nurse as soon as possible if you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding. You may need to change to another diabetes medicine. |
Tell your healthcare team if you are taking any other medicinesEmpagliflozin may interact some medicines and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting empagliflozin and before starting any new medicines. |
What are the side effects of empagliflozin?
Like all medicines, empagliflozin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
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Did you know that you can report a side effect to a medicine to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product. |
Learn more
Jardiance Medsafe Consumer Information, NZ
References
- Empagliflozin NZ Formulary
- Reminder – Flozins and the risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and Fournier’s gangrene Medsafe, NZ, December 2022
- Spotlight on empagliflozin Medsafe, NZ, December 2020
- Periprocedural diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with SGLT2 inhibitor use NZSSD, January 2020
- SGLT2 inhibitors Type 2 Diabetes Management, NZSSD, 2021