What Empagliflozin is used for: Empagliflozin is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adult patients (aged 18 years and older) that cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Empagliflozin can be used without other medicines in patients who cannot take metformin (another diabetes medicine). Empagliflozin can also be used with other medicines for the treatment of diabetes. These may be medicines taken by mouth or given by injection such as insulin. It is important that you continue with your diet and exercise plan as told by your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. How Empagliflozin works: Empagliflozin works by blocking the SGLT2 protein in your kidneys. This causes blood sugar (glucose) to be removed in your urine. Thereby Empagliflozin lowers the amount of sugar in your blood. This medicine can also help prevent heart disease. What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a disease that comes from both your genes and your lifestyle. If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas does not make enough insulin to control the level of glucose in your blood, and your body is unable to use its own insulin effectively. This results in high levels of glucose in your blood which can lead to medical problems like heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and poor circulation in your limbs. Do not use Empagliflozin : if you are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine if you are pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding Warnings and precautions: Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking this medicine, and during treatment: if you have “type 1 diabetes”. This type usually starts when you are young and your body does not produce any insulin. if you experience rapid weight loss, feeling sick or being sick, stomach pain, excessive thirst, fast and deep breathing, confusion, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, a sweet smell to your breath, a sweet or metallic taste in your mouth, or a different odour to your urine or sweat, contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away. These symptoms could be a sign of “diabetic ketoacidosis” – a rare, but serious, sometimes life-threatening problem you can get with diabetes because of increased levels of “ketone bodies” in your urine or blood, seen in tests. The risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis may be increased with prolonged fasting, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, sudden reductions in insulin dose, or a higher need of insulin due to major surgery or serious illness. if you have serious kidney or liver problems – your doctor may ask you to take a different medicine. might be at risk of dehydration, for example: if you are being sick, have diarrhoea or fever, or if you are not able to eat or drink if you are taking medicines that increase urine production [diuretics] or lower blood pressure if you are over 75 years old. if you are 85 years old or older as you should not start taking Empagliflozin. if you have a serious infection of the kidney or the urinary tract with fever. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking Empagliflozin until you have recovered. Talk to your doctor immediately if you develop a combination of symptoms of pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the genitals or the area between the genitals and the anus with fever or feeling generally unwell. These symptoms could be a sign of a rare but serious or even life-threatening infection, called necrotising fasciitis of the perineum or Fournier’s gangrene which destroys the tissue under the skin. Fournier’s gangrene has to be treated immediately Children and adolescents: Empagliflozin is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years, because it has not been studied in these patients. Other medicines and Empagliflozin : Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. if you are taking medicines that increase urine production (diuretics) if you are taking other medicines that lower the amount of sugar in your blood such as insulin or a “sulphonylurea” medicine. Your doctor may want to lower the dose of these other medicines, to prevent your blood sugar levels from getting too low (hypoglycaemia). How to use Empagliflozin : Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. How much to take: The starting dose of Empagliflozin is one 10 mg tablet once a day. Your doctor will decide whether to increase your dose to 25 mg once a day. Your doctor may limit your dose to 10 mg once a day if you have a kidney problem. Your doctor will prescribe the strength that is right for you. Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to. Taking this medicine Swallow the tablet whole with water You can take the tablet with or without food You can take the tablet at any time of the day. However, try to take it at the same time each day. This will help you to remember to take it. Your doctor may prescribe Empagliflozin together with another diabetes medicine. Remember to take all medicines as directed by your doctor to achieve the best results for your health. Appropriate diet and exercise help your body use its blood sugar better. It is important to stay on the diet and exercise program recommended by your doctor while taking Empagliflozin. Possible side effects: Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if you develop urticaria, rash, tightness of the chest, wheezing, hypotension How to store Empagliflozin : Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not use this medicine if you notice that the packaging is damaged or shows signs of tampering. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

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