Facts at a glance
- The essential active ingredient: empagliflozin
- Primary uses and applications: management of type 2 diabetes, reducing cardiovascular death in selected patients, and lowering hospital admissions for heart failure
- Common UK tablet strengths: 10 mg and 25 mg
For a brief description of how empagliflozin works see What empagliflozin does.
What empagliflozin does and why it is prescribed
Empagliflozin is part of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor group. It reduces kidney reabsorption of glucose so more sugar leaves the body in urine, which helps to lower blood glucose levels.
Conventional signs in the UK include:
- Improving glycaemic control in adults and in children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise
- Lowering the risk of death from cardiovascular causes for people with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease
- Reducing the risk of death and hospitalisation for symptomatic heart failure in appropriate patients
Empagliflozin is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. For instructions on dose timing and administration see The prescribed dose and how to take part it in stride.
How to ride it out conjoined with the dosage empagliflozin
Always follow the prescription label as well as the patient information leaflet. Clinicians usually choose a starting dose and may adjust it according to blood glucose response and kidney function.
- Usual schedule: once daily, often in the morning. You may ingest the tablets with food or on an empty stomach.
- Health monitoring: periodic checks of blood glucose and renal function are commonly advised; ketone testing may be indicated in some situations.
- Hydration: keep well hydrated, especially during hot weather, illness, or after strenuous exercise.
If you are unsure about dose adjustments or system monitoring, contact your GP or pharmacist. Other sources Safety, adhere to core safety health and safety measures and danger alerts for important advice.
Safety, required precautions and cautionary notices must be observed before starting empagliflozin
Tell the prescriber about any of the following conditions or situations before you begin empagliflozin:
- Frequent urinary tract infections or recent problems passing urine
- History of genital infections such as balanitis or vaginal thrush
- Painful or chronic pancreatic disease, or previous pancreatic surgery
- Heavy alcohol use or a history of alcohol misuse
- Periods of very low food intake, salt-restricted diets, or any factors that increase the danger of dehydration
- Advanced age, especially people aged 65 years or older
- Known liver disease or impaired kidney function
If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or lactating speak to your clinician because empagliflozin is not recommended in pregnancy and should be avoided while nursing. See Under what circumstances should empagliflozin not be prescribed? more details are available.
Who should not commence empagliflozin?
- Anyone with a known hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any excipient in the product
- Patients with severe renal impairment, end stage renal disease, or those on dialysis
- Women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Women who are breastfeeding
Use caution with alcohol because it can worsen dehydration and may raise the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. Take care when standing to avoid dizziness or light headedness.
Possible reactions and steps to take
Immediate emergency signs
- Severe allergic reaction with widespread rash, breathing difficulty, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Rapidly worsening genital infections with severe pain, marked redness, swelling, offensive discharge, fever, or feeling generally unwell
Serious issues requiring prompt medical advice
- Markedly low blood pressure or fainting
- Symptoms of hypoglycaemia if empagliflozin is used with insulin or sulfonylureas: sweating, tremor, headache, confusion
- Dehydration warning signs: very thirsty, low urine output, dizziness, confusion
- Signs of ketoacidosis: ongoing nausea or vomiting, severe abdominal pain, profound tiredness, trouble breathing
- Urinary infection with fever, pelvic or back pain, or blood in the urine
More common reactions
- UTIs in adults
- Genital fungal infections such as yeast infections
If you suspect a side effect report it to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency via the Yellow Card scheme. For advice on mutual interactions span conversations, gestures, and feedback. see Guidance for the study maps how mutual interactions evolve over time. and daily living.
Drug the process of interaction guidance and lifestyle considerations
Be sure to tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, including over the counter products and supplements.
- Insulin and sulfonylureas: using these together with empagliflozin raises the risk of hypoglycaemia and may require dose changes
- Diuretics: combined use can increase the risk of low blood pressure and dehydration
- Other drugs that lower blood pressure: could add to blood pressure reduction and cause symptoms
- Very low carbohydrate or ketogenic diets, and heavy alcohol intake, are factors that can promote ketoacidosis and should be discussed with your clinician
For practical daily what to do if a dose is skipped and safe use see Handling a i did not take a dose with care.
Dose missed guidance
If you forget a dose take it as soon as you remember unless the next scheduled dose is due soon. If it is near the next dose time, omit the the dose was omitted. Avoid taking an extra dose to compensate for a the dose was omitted.
If you think you have taken too much
If an a non fatal overdose is suspected seek immediate medical attention or contact your local emergency services or the UK NHS 111 service for advice. Bring the medicine packaging with you if possible.
Digital physical storage keeps goods safe and organized., handling and disposal
- Store at normal room temperature and keep away from excessive heat and dampness.
- Make sure all medicines are kept away from children and pets, out of sight and reach.
- Return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal where available. Avoid throwing them in household waste if an a different possibility return option exists.
Other options and similar medications
Additional SGLT2 inhibitor drugs and fixed dose combinations offer similar effects. Choice depends on treatment aims such as glucose lowering, kidney or heart protection, side effect profile, and cost.
- Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) - commonly used at 10 mg once daily
- Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) - another once daily option with comparable effects
- Canagliflozin (Invokana) - effective but has been associated with rare effects on bone density and lower limb events in some reports
A range of combined products that reduce pill burden include:
- Empagliflozin plus metformin (examples include Synjardy)
- Empagliflozin plus linagliptin (Glyxambi) or other DPP-4 inhibitor combinations
Other diabetes classes to discuss with your clinician:
- Metformin - widely used first line and generally low cost
- GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and dulaglutide - often provide weight loss and cardiovascular benefits but are commonly more expensive
- DPP-4 inhibitors - usually weight neutral with low hypoglycaemia risk
- Sulfonylureas - effective glucose lowering but greater hypoglycaemia risk and unrealized potential weight gain
- Insulin - required for some patients or when oral agents are insufficient
To view a rough cost comparison, refer to here UK indicative price tiers. Talk through options with your prescriber to find the best match for your needs.
UK market price indicators of (private purchase) and relative cost notes
Below are approximate private costs for a pack of around 28 to 30 tablets. Prices vary by supplier and over time.
- Empagliflozin 10 mg: roughly 30 to 50 GBP per pack
- Empagliflozin 25 mg: roughly 35 to 55 GBP per pack
- Dapagliflozin 10 mg: roughly 30 to 50 GBP per pack
- Ertugliflozin 5 to 15 mg: roughly 35 to 55 GBP per pack
- Canagliflozin 100 to 300 mg: roughly 35 to 55 GBP per pack
- Combination preparations (for example empagliflozin plus metformin): commonly 45 to 80 GBP per pack
By comparison, generic metformin is much cheaper per month, while GLP-1 receptor agonists tend to be more costly than SGLT2 inhibitors. NHS prescription charges apply in England as a per item fee (check current NHS information for the exact amount); prescriptions are free for most patients in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For up to date prices check with a registered UK pharmacy or official NHS resources. For notes of a legal nature on supply see UK law and regulatory guidance notes.
UK law and regulatory guidance notes
- Empagliflozin carries POM status within the United Kingdom.
- Regulator: licensed and overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA); suspected adverse reactions should be reported via Yellow Card.
- Supply rules: must be dispensed by a UK-registered pharmacist against a valid prescription from a UK-registered prescriber, for example a GP or independent prescriber.
- Online pharmacies: only use services registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and those that follow safe remote consultation procedures.
- Remote prescribing: allowed if a suitable clinical assessment has been performed and documented; reputable remote providers will request medical history and, with permission, may contact your GP.
- Importation: avoid importing prescription medicines without complying with UK laws and having a valid prescription; unauthorised import risks customs and regulatory issues.
- Driving: the main driving safety issue is hypoglycaemia when empagliflozin is used together with insulin or sulfonylureas. Follow DVLA guidance if you have recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes.
- Maternal pregnancy and lactation: empagliflozin is contraindicated in the second and third trimesters and not recommended during breastfeeding; seek specialist advice if pregnancy is planned or suspected.
- Paediatric use: licensed for type 2 diabetes from 10 years of age in selected situations; dosing and performance monitoring should follow specialist steady guidance.
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