Empagliflozin

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Have a sick day plan

If 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.

If you have nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) or tummy pain, you need to have a finger prick blood test immediately at either your GP clinic, after hours medical centre or hospital to check your ketone levels.

Tell your healthcare team before making any big changes to your diet

If 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 clean

Because you will pee more and have more glucose in your urine, you have a higher risk of getting thrush or groin infections.

Regular washing helps prevent this. Women should wash their groin and vulval area twice a day and men should wash their penis, foreskin and groin area at least once per day.

Prepare before an operation or a procedure

If 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 medicines

Empagliflozin may interact some medicines and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting empagliflozin and before starting any new medicines.

• Peeing (urinating) more often than usual.
• Pain or burning feeling when you pee.
• Mild skin rash or itchy skin.
• Feeling dizzy.

• These are quite common when you start taking empagliflozin, but they are usually mild and go away with time.
• Talk to your healthcare provider if these side effects cause you problems or don’t go away.

• Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) such as:
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • feeling very thirsty (dehydrated)
  • being confused or unusually tired
  • stomach pain
  • sweet-smelling breath
  • deep or fast breathing.

• This is a rare but serious side effect of empagliflozin.
• You are at increased risk if you are dehydrated or experience a sudden illness, have just had surgery, have reduced your calorie intake, are on a low carbohydrate diet or if your insulin requirements have increased. 
• If you get these signs and symptoms, stop taking empagliflozin and contact your healthcare provider or Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately and tell them you are taking empagliflozin.

• Signs of Fournier’s gangrene such as:
  • swelling, pain, itching or tenderness in or around your vagina, penis, testicles or bottom
  • changes to the colour of your skin, such as redness or darkened areas around your vagina, penis, testicles or bottom
  • fever or high temperature
  • general unwellness or tiredness.

• Fournier’s gangrene is a serious bacterial infection around your vagina, penis, testicles or bottom.
• This is a rare but serious side effect of empagliflozin.
• If you get these signs and symptoms, stop taking empagliflozin and tell your healthcare provider or Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately and tell them you are taking empagliflozin.
• Read more about Fournier’s gangrene (English, Te reo Māori, Samoan).