Empagliflozin and Metformin

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Synjardy; Synjardy XR

Brand Names: Canada

Synjardy

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Extended-release tablets:

• If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has type 1 diabetes. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes.
• If your child does NOT have type 2 diabetes.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem, kidney disease, or liver disease.
• If your child has had a recent heart attack or stroke.
• If your child is not able to eat or drink like normal, including before certain procedures or surgery.
• If your child is having an exam or test with contrast, or has had one within the past 48 hours, talk with the doctor.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Do not give this drug to your child if your child is in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
• Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as the doctor has told you. If this drug is stopped, the doctor will tell you when to start giving this drug again after your child’s surgery or procedure.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• If your child is old enough to drive, do not let your child drive if their blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of having a crash.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, have your child rise slowly if your child has been sitting or lying down. Have your child be careful going up and down stairs.
• Have your child be careful in hot weather or while your child is being active. Have your child drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• If your child cannot drink liquids by mouth or has upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; your child needs to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your child’s doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse kidney problems.
• High cholesterol has happened with this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Be sure the doctor and lab workers know your child uses this drug.
• It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect your child’s blood sugar.
• Check your child’s blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
• Talk with your child’s doctor about which glucose tests are best to use.
• Long-term treatment with metformin may lead to low vitamin B-12 levels. If your child has ever had low vitamin B-12 levels, talk with the doctor.
• Too much acid in the blood or urine (ketoacidosis) has happened with this drug. This may need to be treated in the hospital and can be deadly. This can happen even when blood sugar is normal. Patients with some health problems, including diabetes or pancreas problems, have a higher risk of ketoacidosis. Check your child’s ketones as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) have happened with this drug. Sometimes, this needed to be treated in a hospital.
• Kidney problems have happened. Sometimes, these may need to be treated in the hospital or with dialysis.
• Have your child follow the diet and exercise plan your child’s doctor told you about.
• If your child is on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, talk with your child’s doctor.
• This drug may raise the risk of lower limb amputations. Toe and foot amputations have happened most often. Talk to the doctor about how to take care of your child’s feet. Tell the doctor if your child has ever had an amputation, blood vessel disease, nerve disease, or a foot ulcer caused by diabetes. Call the doctor right away if your child has new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers, or infections in the legs or feet.
• Use this drug with care in children. They may have more chance of low blood sugar.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• There is a chance of pregnancy in people of childbearing age who have not been ovulating. To avoid pregnancy, have your child use birth control while taking this drug.

If your child is pregnant:

• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy. If your child is pregnant or gets pregnant while taking this drug, call the doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, fast or abnormal heartbeat, severe dizziness or passing out, increased thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, decreased appetite, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Vaginal yeast infection. Report itching, bad odor, or discharge.
• Yeast infection of the penis. Report pain, swelling, rash, or discharge.
• It is common to have stomach problems like upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea when starting this drug. If your child has stomach problems later during treatment, call the doctor right away. This may be a sign of an acid health problem in the blood (lactic acidosis).
• A rare but severe infection has happened with drugs like this one. This infection may be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child’s genitals or the area between your child’s genitals and rectum becomes tender, red, or swollen, and your child has a fever or does not feel well.
• Low blood sugar can happen. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call the doctor right away if your child has any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include giving your child glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Nose or throat irritation.
• Gas.
• Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
• Stomach pain.
• Heartburn.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Give this drug with meals.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your child’s doctor.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if your child misses a dose, call the doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-11-14

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