Empadown Duo Tablet 12.5/500 mg (Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride)

Adult dose

The recommended dosage of this medication is 1 tablet once, 2 times a day. The dosage should be determined within the maximum recommended daily doses of 25 mg for empagliflozin and 2000 mg for metformin. For patients who do not achieve adequate blood glucose control with metformin alone or insulin or other medications, the recommended dosage is 5 mg of empagliflozin twice a day and the existing dosage of metformin. If good tolerability is observed and further blood glucose control is needed, the dosage of empagliflozin can be increased to 25 mg (total daily dose). For patients switching to this medication from empagliflozin (total daily dose of 10 mg or 25 mg) and metformin, they should be administered their previous doses of empagliflozin and metformin accordingly. When combined with sulfonylureas or insulin, consideration for dosage reduction of sulfonylureas or insulin should be taken to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (refer to precautions 4. Adverse Reactions and 6. Interactions). This medication should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects associated with metformin. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered. However, do not take double the dose at once; in such cases, skip the missed dose.

This medication is used in diabetes treatment and consists of two ingredients that help in blood sugar control. Caution is advised when taking this medication due to the risk of rare side effects such as severe lactic acidosis, where lactic acid can accumulate in the body, leading to dangerous conditions, including potential fatality. If taken with other diabetes medications, hypoglycemia may occur, so blood sugar levels should be monitored frequently. This medication should not be administered to patients with severely impaired kidney function, acute infections, cardiovascular issues, or severe liver disease. Patients should discontinue this medication prior to surgery or any examinations using iodine contrast agents and can resume after normal kidney function is restored post-surgery. It is advisable not to use this medication in pregnant women or those who could become pregnant, and in lactating women. This medication can cause fluid loss, hence caution is necessary in cases of dehydration, diarrhea, or vomiting, with special care for elderly patients or those with cardiovascular disease. During treatment, urinary tract infections or genitourinary infections may occur, and patients should consult a doctor immediately if symptoms arise. Also, vitamin B12 levels may decrease, necessitating regular blood tests for monitoring. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption during treatment, and report any severe side effects like hypoglycemic symptoms, lactic acidosis, or ketoacidosis to healthcare providers immediately. Elderly patients are at increased risk of reduced kidney function, so regular kidney function tests are necessary, with dosage adjustments as needed. In the event of an overdose, prompt treatment is essential, especially due to the risk of lactic acidosis, and emergency care should be sought. This medication is not recommended for children, and accurate dosing and usage according to the prescribing physician must always be followed. Finally, this medication should be stored out of reach of children and kept in its original container to maintain quality.

Serious side effects

Urticaria, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, pallor, severe rash with fever, blisters, skin peeling, mouth/eye mucosal pain, difficulty or shortness of breath, asthma attack, respiratory abnormalities with cough + fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), extreme fatigue, sudden and severe headache, thunderclap headache, seizures, confusion, visual disturbances, paralysis, urination

Mild side effects

• Hypoglycemia
• urinary tract infection
• genitourinary infection
• increased urination
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• constipation

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to protect it from exposure to air and moisture, with storage temperature maintained between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius to ensure prolonged effectiveness.

Appearance

Light brownish-purple, bilaterally convex, oval-shaped film-coated tablet

Package unit

60 tablets/box [10 tablets/PTP x 6], 10 tablets/box [10 tablets/PTP x 1], 60 tablets/bottle