Empaver (Empagliflozin)

Dosage Form:

Oral tablets 10, 25 mg

What is Empaver used for?

It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (type II diabetes mellitus).

It is used to lower the chance of death from heart disease in certain people.

It is used to lower the chance of having to go to the hospital for heart failure in certain people.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Empaver?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or type 1 diabetes.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are dehydrated, talk with your doctor.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Empaver?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If this drug is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking this drug again after your surgery or procedure.
• Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• If you are not able to eat or drink like normal, talk with your doctor. This includes if you are sick, fasting, or you are having certain procedures or surgery.
• If you cannot drink liquids by mouth or if you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse kidney problems.
• High cholesterol has happened with this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
• It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Too much acid in the blood or urine (ketoacidosis) and severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) have happened. Ketoacidosis can be deadly. Both of these may need to be treated in a hospital.
• Kidney problems have happened. Sometimes, these may need to be treated in the hospital or with dialysis.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, talk with your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• A rare but very bad infection has happened with drugs like this one. This infection may be deadly. Get medical help right away if your genitals or the area between your genitals and rectum becomes tender, red, or swollen, and you have a fever or do not feel well.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

What are some side effects of Empaver?

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad dizziness or passing out, fast heartbeat, more thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, not hungry, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of too much acid in the blood (acidosis) like confusion; fast breathing; fast heartbeat; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; very bad stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up; feeling very sleepy; shortness of breath; or feeling very tired or weak.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
• For men, yeast infection of the penis. Report pain, swelling, rash, or discharge.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.