What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Change in diet, eating less
-Changes to your insulin dose
-Dehydration
-Diet low in salt
-Frequently drink alcohol
-Having surgery
-History of amputation
-History of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
-History of foot sores caused by diabetes
-History of genital infections
-History of pancreatitis or pancreas problems
-History of urinary tract infections (UTI)
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Nerve condition that causes pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
-Peripheral vascular disease, narrowing of the blood vessels
-Serious infection
-Trouble passing urine
-Type 1 diabetes
-An unusual or allergic reaction to empagliflozin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
-Alcohol
-Diuretics
-Insulin
-Lithium
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication. If you have diabetes, your care team will monitor your HbA1C (A1C). This test shows what your average blood sugar (glucose) level was over the past 2 to 3 months.
This medication may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition in which high ketone levels make your blood too acidic. Your care team may ask you to check for ketones in your urine or blood while you are taking this medication. If you develop nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, or trouble breathing, stop taking this medication and call your care team right away.
Check with your care team if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medication.
Know the symptoms of low blood sugar and know how to treat it. Always carry a source of quick sugar with you. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others know that you can choke if you eat or drink if your blood sugar is too low and you are unable to care for yourself. Get medical help at once.
Tell your care team if you have high blood sugar. Your medication dose may change if your body is under stress. Some types of stress that may affect your blood sugar include fever, infection, and surgery.
If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine while you are taking this medication. Check with your care team.