Empagliflozin/Metformin Hydrochloride 12.5/500 mg (Empagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride)

Adult dose

The recommended dose of this medication is 1 tablet each time, twice a day. The dosage is determined based on each patient's current treatment regimen, efficacy, and tolerance, not exceeding the maximum recommended daily doses of empagliflozin 25 mg and metformin 2000 mg. Patients insufficiently controlled with metformin alone or in combination with other medications like insulin should take empagliflozin 5 mg twice a day (total daily amount of 10 mg) along with their existing metformin dose.

This medication is used to treat diabetes and acts to lower blood sugar levels. This drug can cause a rare side effect known as severe lactic acidosis, which can pose a risk to life, so caution is necessary. When used with other diabetes medications, hypoglycemia may occur; thus, attention must be paid to symptoms of low blood sugar. Patients with severely impaired renal function, acute kidney issues, severe infections, acute myocardial infarction, and certain other conditions should not use this medication. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid this medication. Regular kidney function tests should be conducted while on this medication, particularly for elderly patients or those with weak kidney function. If dehydration, severe vomiting, diarrhea, or other conditions arise during treatment, immediate consultation with a doctor is essential, and the medication can be discontinued if necessary. This medication should be discontinued for a certain period before and after undergoing tests using iodine contrast. After confirming recovery of kidney function to normal levels post-testing, resumption can begin. Some patients may experience urinary or genital infections, so they should inform healthcare providers if any infection symptoms arise. B12 vitamin levels may drop, so regular blood tests might be required for patients on prolonged therapy. Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of side effects from this medication, so excessive drinking should be avoided during treatment. This medication poses a risk of hypoglycemia; thus, when used with hypoglycemic agents, attention to low blood sugar symptoms is critical, and dose adjustment of the hypoglycemic agents may be necessary. Patients scheduled for surgery should stop taking the medication 48 hours before the procedure and can resume after verifying normal kidney function post-surgery. Caution should be taken when administering this medication to elderly patients, particularly those over 75 years old, as they may have a higher risk of fluid loss. During treatment, blood sugar control and kidney function should be regularly monitored, and immediate consultation with healthcare providers should occur if abnormal symptoms appear.

Serious side effects

Hives, angioedema, perineal necrosis, ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, pyelonephritis, urosepsis, severe rash with fever, blisters, skin peeling, pain in oral/eye mucosa, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, respiratory distress accompanied by cough and fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), extreme lethargy, severe swelling, sudden and severe headache, thunderclap headache, seizures, altered consciousness, vision problems

Mild side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• itching
• rash
• altered taste
• headache

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to avoid exposure to air or moisture and is best kept at room temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius. Proper storage will help maintain the medication's effectiveness and prevent deterioration.

Appearance

A film-coated tablet that is oval, biconvex, purplish with light brown hue.

Package unit

60 tablets/box [(10 tablets/PTP x 6)], 10 tablets/box [(10 tablets/PTP x 1)], 30 tablets/bottle, 60 tablets/bottle