Empagliflozin and linagliptin

Empagliflozin and linagliptin is a combination medicine that, along with diet and exercise, helps adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus control their blood sugar levels.

Empagliflozin and linagliptin is also used to reduce the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease.

Empagliflozin and linagliptin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Empagliflozin and linagliptin may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Empagliflozin and linagliptin is usually taken in the morning, with or without food.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test the level of ketones in your urine. Empagliflozin can cause life-threatening ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood). Even if your blood sugar is normal, contact your doctor if a urine test shows that you have high ketones in the urine.

Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.

You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

empagliflozin and linagliptin can affect the results of certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using empagliflozin and linagliptin.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and special medical care.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Stop taking empagliflozin and linagliptin and call your doctor immediately if you notice any serious side effects, such as severe stomach pain (which may spread to your back), vomiting, tiredness, or trouble breathing.

Inform your doctor if you are unwell with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are eating or drinking less than usual.

This medicine can lead to serious infections around the penis or vagina. Seek medical help right away if you experience burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital or rectal area, fever, or if you feel unwell.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to empagliflozin or linagliptin, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a history of severe allergic or skin reaction after taking empagliflozin or linagliptin; or
• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;
• a bladder infection or urination problems;
• a pancreas disorder;
• heart failure;
• gallstones;
• a genital infection (penis or vagina);
• alcoholism, or if you currently drink large amounts of alcohol;
• if you are on a low salt diet;
• if you are 65 or older;
• if you have a planned surgery; or
• high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.

You should not use empagliflozin and linagliptin during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Do not breastfeed.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, flaking or peeling skin; trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a serious genital infection (penis or vagina): burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, feeling unwell. These symptoms may get worse quickly.

Empagliflozin and linagliptin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• pain and burning when you urinate, painful urination;
• feeling light-headed, like you might pass out;
• low blood sugar--headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky;
• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
• dehydration--dizziness, confusion, feeling very thirsty, less urination.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately if you have:

• severe or ongoing pain in your joints;
• serious skin reaction--itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin;
• ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood)--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing; or
• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting.

Common side effects of empagliflozin and linagliptin may include:

• a bladder infection; or
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

Initial dose: Empagliflozin 10 mg-linagliptin 5 mg orally once a day in the morning-For patients tolerating therapy, may increase to empagliflozin 25 mg-linagliptin 5 mg once a day Maximum dose: Empagliflozin 25 mg-linagliptin 5 mg per dayComments: -Not recommended in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients. -Has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis and it is not know whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis during therapy. -When used in combination with insulin or insulin secretagogues, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogues or insulin may be necessary to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.Uses: -As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.-Empagliflozin is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Other drugs may change how well empagliflozin and linagliptin work to lower your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using, especially:

• insulin, or other oral diabetes medicine;
• rifampin (to treat tuberculosis); or
• a diuretic or "water pill."

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect empagliflozin and linagliptin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.