Jardiance Met 5mg/500mg (Empagliflozin/Metformin)

Description

Introduction

Jardiance Met 5mg/500mg is an oral tablet containing empagliflozin 5 mg and metformin 500 mg. It is for the management of type 2 diabetes when treatment with both ingredients is appropriate. The ingredients lower blood glucose through different mechanisms. A healthcare professional can assess how this combination fits into an individual diabetes treatment plan.

What Is It?

Empagliflozin belongs to a group of medicines called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Metformin is a biguanide. In the 5 mg/500 mg strength, the first amount refers to empagliflozin and the second to metformin. This combination is a tablet, not an insulin injection.

Tablet appearance, inactive ingredients and whether the supplied tablet may be split or crushed should be checked on its packaging or with a pharmacist. These details can differ between products containing the same active ingredients.

How Does It Work?

Empagliflozin acts in the kidneys to reduce the reabsorption of glucose. This allows more glucose to pass out of the body in urine. Metformin mainly reduces glucose production by the liver and improves the body’s response to insulin. Together, these actions can improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes.

The way empagliflozin works can increase urination and affect fluid balance. Glucose in urine is also relevant to urinary and genital infections. Metformin can cause digestive symptoms, particularly when treatment begins or changes.

Common Uses

Jardiance Met 5mg/500mg is used for type 2 diabetes. Empagliflozin and metformin may be used together when blood glucose control requires both ingredients. Treatment is considered alongside diet, physical activity and monitoring of blood glucose. Other diabetes medicines may also be prescribed as part of a wider plan.

This combination is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Claims about the separate use of empagliflozin for heart failure or kidney disease do not establish those uses for this combination product.

Available Strengths

This family is available in 5 mg, 12.5 mg.

Key Features

• Each tablet contains empagliflozin 5 mg and metformin 500 mg.
• It combines an SGLT2 inhibitor and a biguanide in one tablet.
• The ingredients lower blood glucose through different actions.
• It is intended for type 2 diabetes when both ingredients are appropriate.
• It is available in quantities of 30, 60 or 90 tablets.

Benefits

• Both ingredients have evidence for lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.
• A combination tablet provides the two ingredients together when both have been selected for treatment.
• Empagliflozin helps remove glucose through urine; metformin reduces glucose production by the liver.

The response to treatment varies. Blood glucose results, side effects and kidney function help a healthcare professional assess whether a treatment plan is working as intended.

Possible Side Effects

• Metformin may cause nausea, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, gas or a change in taste.
• Empagliflozin may cause more frequent urination and increased thirst.
• Genital yeast infections may cause itching, redness, discomfort or discharge.
• Urinary tract infections may cause painful or frequent urination, cloudy urine, fever or pelvic pain.
• Fluid loss may cause dehydration, light-headedness or dizziness when standing.
• Low blood glucose is more likely when treatment also includes insulin or a sulfonylurea.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious potential effect of empagliflozin. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness or difficult breathing need urgent medical assessment, even when blood glucose is not markedly raised.
• Metformin can rarely cause lactic acidosis. Severe weakness, feeling cold, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain or deep, rapid breathing need urgent assessment.
• Severe allergic symptoms, or fever with pain and swelling around the genital or back passage area, also need urgent assessment.

Other effects can occur. A doctor or pharmacist can assess symptoms that are new, persistent or concerning.

Precautions

• Kidney or liver disease, dehydration, serious infection and a history of metabolic acidosis can affect the suitability of treatment.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or reduced fluid intake can increase the risk of dehydration and metformin-related complications.
• Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy and breastfeeding require discussion with a healthcare professional.
• Heavy alcohol use increases the risk of lactic acidosis associated with metformin.
• Allergy to either active ingredient or another component of the tablet requires assessment before use.

Additional Precautions

• Tell the treating team about empagliflozin and metformin before surgery or a scan using injected iodinated contrast dye. The medicine plan may need to change temporarily.
• Kidney function may need checking before and during treatment. Vitamin B12 levels may also be assessed during long-term metformin treatment.
• A pharmacist can check whether other prescribed products contain empagliflozin or metformin, to avoid accidental duplication.
• Previous genital or urinary infections, low blood pressure and a tendency to dehydration are relevant to a medicine review.
• Symptoms of ketoacidosis need urgent assessment even if a blood glucose reading is not especially high.

Storage Instructions

• Follow the storage directions on the supplied pack for the correct temperature and conditions.
• Keep tablets in their supplied packaging, away from excess heat and moisture.
• Keep medicines where children cannot reach them.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of expired or unwanted tablets.

How to Take

• Follow the directions from the prescribing healthcare professional and the supplied pack.
• The number of tablets and timing depend on the prescription; the strength does not determine an individual schedule.
• Metformin is commonly taken with food to reduce digestive upset. Confirm the directions for this tablet with a pharmacist.
• Ask a healthcare professional what to do if a dose is missed. Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose without advice.
• Do not change or stop prescribed diabetes treatment without discussing it with a healthcare professional.

Drug Interactions

• Insulin and sulfonylureas can increase the risk of low blood glucose when used with empagliflozin.
• Diuretics may add to fluid loss. Some blood pressure medicines also need review when dehydration or reduced kidney function is a concern.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can affect kidney function, which is relevant during metformin treatment.
• Injected iodinated contrast dye used for some scans requires planning because of the metformin component.
• Some medicines used for seizures or glaucoma, including topiramate and acetazolamide, can increase the risk of metformin-related lactic acidosis.
• A doctor or pharmacist should check prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements for interactions.

Why Choose This Product?

• It provides empagliflozin 5 mg and metformin 500 mg in one tablet.
• The two ingredients have complementary actions when both are appropriate for type 2 diabetes treatment.
• Several tablet quantities are available to match a prescribed supply.

Expected benefit and treatment risks depend on clinical assessment and monitoring. A particular result cannot be guaranteed from the tablet strength or pack quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the active ingredients?

Each tablet contains empagliflozin 5 mg and metformin 500 mg.

What is Jardiance Met 5mg/500mg used for?

It is used for type 2 diabetes when treatment with both active ingredients is appropriate.

Is this an insulin product?

No. It is an oral tablet containing two non-insulin medicines.

How does empagliflozin work?

It reduces glucose reabsorption by the kidneys, allowing more glucose to pass into urine.

How does metformin work?

It mainly reduces glucose production by the liver and improves the body’s response to insulin.

Can low blood glucose occur?

The risk is higher when the combination is used with insulin or a sulfonylurea.

Why might kidney function be checked?

Kidney function affects the suitability and monitoring of both active ingredients.

What about surgery or a contrast scan?

The treating team should know about this medicine so they can assess whether the treatment plan needs a temporary change.

Which symptoms need urgent assessment?

Persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, difficult breathing, severe weakness, serious allergic symptoms or painful genital swelling with fever need urgent medical assessment.

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