Glyxambi (Empagliflozin And Linagliptin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Glyxambi Used For?
Glyxambi is a combination diabetes medication that contains two active ingredients working together to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Primary Uses
Glyxambi is used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It may be used when diet plus exercise do not provide adequate blood sugar level control, either alone or with certain other diabetes medicines such as metformin.
How It Works
Glyxambi contains empagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) and linagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor). These medicines work together by increasing the amount of glucose expelled in urine and producing more insulin to lower blood sugar levels. Lowering and controlling blood sugar levels may help prevent or delay complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and foot amputation.
Good to know: Continue to follow the diet and exercise program recommended by your doctor while taking Glyxambi for best results.
How to Take Glyxambi
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your individual needs and blood sugar control.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one Glyxambi 10 mg/5 mg tablet once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose to Glyxambi 25 mg/5 mg tablet once a day if needed. Take your medicine at about the same time each day for best effect. It doesn’t matter if you take it before or after food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose and it’s almost time for your next dose (less than 12 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re supposed to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal schedule. If you’re not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Constipation
- Cough
- Swelling of nose or throat
- Mouth ulceration
- Itching
- Genital yeast infection symptoms (burning, redness, pain, discharge)
- Passing more urine than normal
- Painful, swollen joints
- Signs of mild dehydration (unusual thirst, light-headedness)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Low blood sugar symptoms (sweating, weakness, hunger, dizziness, trembling, headache, fast heartbeat)
- Severe dehydration (dry mouth, fainting, urinating less often)
- Urinary tract infection (burning when urinating, cloudy urine, pelvic or back pain)
- Bullous pemphigoid (skin blisters or breakdown)
- Fournier’s gangrene (pain, swelling in genital area, fever)
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash)
- Pancreatitis (severe stomach pain radiating to back, nausea, vomiting, fever)
- Penis swelling (in uncircumcised men)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (rapid weight loss, stomach pain, excessive thirst, sweet breath smell, confusion)
Important Warnings
Before taking Glyxambi, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Glyxambi
Do not take Glyxambi if you are allergic to empagliflozin, linagliptin, or any of the other ingredients listed. Do not give to children under 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney problems, pancreas disease, illnesses causing dehydration, frequent genital or urinary tract infections, increased urine loss, heart problems, history of low blood pressure, or if you are 75 years or older (increased dehydration risk).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Glyxambi if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine as it’s not known whether the active ingredients pass into breast milk and could affect your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Glyxambi.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Glyxambi and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Water pills (diuretics) used to treat high blood pressure
- Rifampicin (antibiotic for infections like tuberculosis)
- Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin (medicines for seizures or chronic pain)
- Lithium (used to treat mood disorders)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that may affect your blood sugar levels and ability to drive safely.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of your blood sugar becoming too low. Be careful when drinking alcohol, not eating enough, or doing unexpected vigorous exercise as these can lower your blood sugar.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use machines until you know how Glyxambi affects you. When taken with other diabetes medicines like sulfonylurea or insulin, it can increase the risk of low blood sugar, which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, and slow reaction time. If you have these symptoms, don’t drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Protect from heat and dampness. Keep tablets in the blister strip until it’s time to take them. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Glyxambi, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works to control blood sugar levels, but you should check your blood sugar regularly to see if your diabetes is being controlled properly. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular tests.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Glyxambi before or after food. Take it at about the same time each day for best effect.
Don’t stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor first. This medicine helps control your condition but doesn’t cure it, so it’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of your blood sugar becoming too low, so be careful and discuss this with your doctor.
If it’s almost time for your next dose (less than 12 hours), skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
If you are 75 years or older, tell your doctor as your risk of dehydration might be increased. Your doctor will monitor you carefully and may need to adjust your treatment.
Yes, continue to follow the diet and exercise program recommended by your doctor while taking Glyxambi. Diet and exercise help your body use blood sugar better and are important parts of your diabetes management.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.