Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Glyxambi

Descriptions


Empagliflozin and linagliptin combination is used together with proper diet and exercise to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. It is also used to lower the risk of death in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease. Empagliflozin works in the kidneys to prevent the absorption of glucose (blood sugar). Linagliptin helps to control blood sugar levels by increasing substances in the body that make the pancreas release more insulin. It also signals the liver to stop producing sugar (glucose) when there is too much sugar in the blood. This medicine does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetic patients must use insulin injections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of empagliflozin and linagliptin combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of empagliflozin and linagliptin combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving this medicine.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Abiraterone Acetate
  • Apalutamide
  • Berotralstat
  • Carbamazepine
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Delafloxacin
  • Efavirenz
  • Enoxacin
  • Enzalutamide
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Furosemide
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Grepafloxacin
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Hydroflumethiazide
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Indapamide
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
  • Insulin Bovine
  • Insulin Degludec
  • Insulin Detemir
  • Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
  • Insulin Glulisine
  • Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
  • Lanreotide Acetate
  • Levofloxacin
  • Lithium
  • Lomefloxacin
  • Lumacaftor
  • Metolazone
  • Mitotane
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Norfloxacin
  • Octreotide Acetate
  • Ofloxacin
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Pasireotide Diaspartate
  • Phenytoin
  • Polythiazide
  • Pramlintide
  • Primidone
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Rifapentine
  • Somatrogon-ghla
  • Sparfloxacin
  • St John's Wort
  • Thioctic Acid
  • Tipranavir
  • Triamterene
  • Trovafloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acebutolol
  • Atenolol
  • Betaxolol
  • Bisoprolol
  • Carteolol
  • Carvedilol
  • Celiprolol
  • Esmolol
  • Glecaprevir
  • Labetalol
  • Levobunolol
  • Metipranolol
  • Metoprolol
  • Nadolol
  • Nebivolol
  • Oxprenolol
  • Penbutolol
  • Pibrentasvir
  • Pindolol
  • Practolol
  • Propranolol
  • Sotalol
  • Timolol

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse, history of or
  • Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
  • Pancreatic insulin deficiency (eg, pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery), history of—May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Blood vessel disease (eg, peripheral artery disease), history of or
  • Diabetic foot infection (eg, osteomyelitis), sores, or ulcers, history of—May increase the risk of leg amputations.
  • Dehydration or
  • Genital yeast (fungus) infections (eg, balanitis, balanoposthitis, vulvovaginitis), history of or
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
  • Kidney disease or
  • Pancreas problems, history of or
  • Urinary tract infection (eg, pyelonephritis, urosepsis), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (high ketones and acid in the blood) or
  • Kidney disease, severe (eg, end-stage kidney disease, patients receiving dialysis) or
  • Type I diabetes—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Fever or
  • Infection or
  • Surgery or
  • Trauma—Use with caution. These conditions may cause problems with blood sugar control.
  • Heart failure, history of or
  • Kidney damage, history of—May increase risk for heart failure.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt or sodium diet.

Carefully follow the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your diabetes, and will help the medicine work properly. Exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For type 2 diabetes:
      • Adults—1 tablet once a day, taken in the morning. Each tablet contains 10 milligrams (mg) empagliflozin and 5 mg linagliptin. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 25 mg of empagliflozin and 5 mg of linagliptin per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not safe to take this medicine during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby.

Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have a sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, or lightheadedness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain. These may be signs of heart failure.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur with this medicine. This is more common if you have kidney disease, low blood pressure, or if you are taking a diuretic (water pill). Taking plenty of fluids each day may help. Drink plenty of water during exercise or in hot weather. Check with your doctor if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not stop. This may cause you to lose too much water.

Ketoacidosis (high ketones and acid in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Your doctor may give you insulin, fluid, and carbohydrate replacement to treat this condition. Tell your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, increased thirst or urination.

This medicine may increase your risk of having kidney problems, including acute kidney injury or damaged kidney function. Check with your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine, decreased urine output, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is more common when this medicine is taken together with other diabetes medicines (eg, insulin, glipizide, or glyburide). The symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they cause you to pass out. People feel different symptoms with low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms you usually have so you can treat it quickly. Some symptoms of low blood sugar include: behavior changes that are similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool, pale skin, difficulty with thinking, drowsiness, excessive hunger, a fast heartbeat, headaches that continue, nausea, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Talk to your doctor about how to treat low blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your medicine, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual. High blood sugar can be very serious and must be treated right away. It is important that you learn which symptoms you have in order to treat it quickly. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat high blood sugar.

This medicine may cause vaginal yeast infections in women and yeast infections of the penis in men. This is more common in patients who have a history of genital yeast infections or in men who are not circumcised. Women may have a vaginal discharge, itching, or odor. Men may have redness, itching, swelling, or pain around the penis, or a discharge with a strong odor from the penis. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.

This medicine may increase risk of having urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis or urosepsis. Check with your doctor right away if you have bladder pain, bloody or cloudy urine, difficult, burning, or painful urination, or lower back or side pain.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious bacterial infection, called necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum or Fournier's gangrene, which can cause damage to the tissue under the skin in the area between and around the anus and genitals (perineum). Fournier's gangrene may lead to hospitalization, multiple surgeries, or death. Check with your doctor right away if you have fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, or pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the area between and around your anus and genitals.

This medicine may increase your risk of having lower leg, foot, or toe amputation. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain, tenderness, sores or ulcers, or infections in your leg or foot.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and other skin conditions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause severe and disabling joint pain. Call your doctor right away if you have severe joint pain while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause bullous pemphigoid. Tell your doctor if you have large, hard skin blisters while using this medicine.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine at least 3 days before having major surgery or other procedures that require fasting. This medicine may also affect the results of certain medical tests (eg, urine glucose tests may not be accurate).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Bladder pain
  2. bloody or cloudy urine
  3. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  4. frequent urge to urinate
  5. lower back or side pain

Incidence not known

  1. Anxiety
  2. bloating
  3. blurred vision
  4. chest pain or tightness
  5. chills
  6. cold sweats
  7. confusion
  8. constipation
  9. cool, pale skin
  10. dark urine
  11. depression
  12. dizziness
  13. dry mouth
  14. fast heartbeat
  15. fever
  16. flushed, dry skin
  17. fruit-like breath odor
  18. headache
  19. increased hunger
  20. increased thirst
  21. indigestion
  22. large, hard skin blisters
  23. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
  24. loss of appetite
  25. loss of consciousness
  26. nausea
  27. nightmares
  28. pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the area between the anus and genitals
  29. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, radiating to the back
  30. seizures
  31. severe joint pain
  32. shakiness
  33. slurred speech
  34. stomach pain
  35. sweating
  36. trouble breathing
  37. unexplained weight loss
  38. unusual tiredness or weakness
  39. vomiting
  40. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Body aches or pain
  2. difficulty with breathing
  3. ear congestion
  4. headache
  5. loss of voice
  6. runny or stuffy nose
  7. sneezing
  8. sore throat

Incidence not known

  1. Discharge with a strong odor from the penis
  2. redness, itching, swelling, or pain around the penis
  3. vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/drugs-supplements/empagliflozin-and-linagliptin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20137736