Ertugliflozin and metformin

Ertugliflozin and metformin is a combination medicine that helps control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used along with diet and exercise. Ertugliflozin and metformin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Ertugliflozin and metformin may also be used for reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

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

Ertugliflozin and metformin works best if you take it with food.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, if you eat or drink less than usual, or if you are sweating more than normal.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test for ketones in your urine. Ertugliflozin and metformin 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 ketones.

You may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit for severe hypoglycemia. Make sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also look out for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Ertugliflozin and metformin can cause unusual results with some lab tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using ertugliflozin and metformin.

Ertugliflozin and metformin is just one part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Your doctor may recommend extra vitamin B12. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

You should not use ertugliflozin and metformin if you have severe kidney disease, if you are on dialysis, or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis.

Ertugliflozin may increase your risk of lower leg amputation, especially if you have had a prior amputation, a foot ulcer, heart disease, circulation problems, or nerve damage.

Ertugliflozin can cause serious infections in the penis or vagina. Get medical help right away if you have burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, or if you don't feel well.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ertugliflozin or metformin, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan that uses a dye injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking ertugliflozin and metformin.

Ertugliflozin may increase your risk of lower leg amputation, especially if you have had a prior amputation, a foot ulcer, heart disease, circulation problems, or nerve damage.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• a diabetic foot ulcer or amputation;
• circulation problems or nerve problems in your legs or feet;
• liver or kidney disease;
• high ketone levels in your blood or urine;
• bladder infections or other urination problems;
• low blood pressure;
• problems with your pancreas, including surgery;
• if you drink alcohol often; or
• if you are on a low salt diet.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications for both the mother and the baby.

You should not use this medicine during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Metformin may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Ertugliflozin and metformin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a genital infection (penis or vagina): burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, not feeling well. These symptoms may get worse quickly.

Ertugliflozin and metformin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new pain, tenderness, sores, ulcers, or infections in your legs or feet;
• little or no urination;
• lactic acidosis--unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired;
• ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood)--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing;
• dehydration symptoms--dizziness, weakness, feeling light-headed (like you might pass out); or
• signs of a bladder infection--pain or burning when you urinate, increased urination, blood in your urine, fever, pain in your pelvis or back.

Some side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.

Common side effects of ertugliflozin and metformin may include:

• genital yeast infection;
• stomach discomfort;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas;
• headache, weakness; or
• urinating more than usual.

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:

Individualize dose based on current regimen: Initial dose: 1 tablet orally twice a day-For patients on metformin: Start with tablet containing ertugliflozin 2.5 mg and one-half total daily dose of metformin -For patients on ertugliflozin: Start with tablet containing one-half daily dose of ertugliflozin and metformin 500 mg -For patients already treated with ertugliflozin and metformin: Start with the tablet that provides one-half total daily dose of ertugliflozin and one-half of similar daily dose of metformin Adjust dose based on effectiveness and tolerabilityMaximum daily dose: Ertugliflozin 15 mg; Metformin 2000 mg Comments:-Volume depletion should be corrected prior to therapy initiation. -Metformin dose should be gradually increased to reduce gastrointestinal side effects; taking with meals will also reduce gastrointestinal effects.-This drug is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can cause lactic acidosis.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

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

When you begin or stop taking ertugliflozin and metformin, your doctor might need to change the doses of any other diabetes medicines you regularly use.

Other medications can impact ertugliflozin and metformin, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all your current medications and any medicine you start or stop taking.