Empagliflozin
NHS information about the medicine empagliflozin, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.
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.
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.
More about side effects
These are not all the side effects of empagliflozin.
For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.
You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website
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.
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).
Find out more about your medicine
To find out more about your medicine, you can:
- check the leaflet that comes with it
- search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
- speak to a pharmacist or a doctor for advice – if you recently started taking it, you can get help with newly prescribed medicines from a pharmacist as part of the New Medicine Service
