Empagliflozin has recently been launched in Pakistan by Getz, CCL, Horizon, Hilton, and others.

It is available in combination with metformin (for example Diampa M, Xenglu met) and as a single drug (Diampa, Xenglu)

Empagliflozin is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

It belongs to the SGLT2 inhibitor class of medicine. It inhibits the reabsorption of glucose in the proximal tubules causing glucosuria.

The excess glucose in the urine also causes water loss from the body which helps in reducing blood pressure.

Empagliflozin and recently dapagliflozin has been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure, apart from its role in diabetes.

Benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors (Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin)?

Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Canagliflozin are among the preferred anti-diabetic medicines for the following reasons:

1. Weight loss:

   • These drugs cause weight loss. This is due to the loss of glucose and calories in the urine.

2. Reduction in blood pressure:

   • SGLT 2 inhibitors cause volume depletion.
   • This results in a reduction in blood pressure and an improvement in body swelling.

3. Cardiovascular benefits:

   • SGLT-2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular mortality and have been shown to lower hospitalization due to heart failure.

4. Renal benefits:

   • SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce the progression of kidney disease by 30%.

5. Low risk of hypoglycemia:

   • These drugs cause an insulin-independent reduction in blood glucose.
   • The likelihood of hypoglycemia is significantly less with these drugs.

Who should not be prescribed empagliflozin (Jardy tablets)?

The following group of patients should not take empagliflozin or take it with caution:

1. Diabetic ketoacidosis

2. Dehydrated or hypotension

3. Patients with renal failure and those on hemodialysis

4. Recurrent urinary tract infections

5. Patients who are prone to develop hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia

6. Hypercholesterolemia

7. Older patients and

8. Pregnant patients.

How to take empagliflozin?

It should be prescribed in the early morning as 10 mg tablets once daily.

The dose may be increased to a maximum of 25 mg per day if the target glycemic target is not achieved and the drug is well tolerated by the patient.

Some important side effects of empagliflozin (Diampa, Xenglu)

1. Dehydration and volume depletion
2. Recurrent urinary tract infections
3. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
4. Tissue necrosis and Necrotizing fasciitis,
5. Raised LDL cholesterol levels.

Is empagliflozin safe during pregnancy?

Empagliflozin should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding as safety has not been proven.

Empagliflozin brands in Pakistan

Tablets DIAMPA 10 mg and 25 mg (GETZ PHARMA)

Tablets Diampa M 12.5/1000 and 25/1000 mg(empagliflozin + metformin)

Tablets Empa (Horizon) 10 mg and 25 mg

Tablets Jardy (CCL) 10 mg and 25 mg

Tablets Empozin (Macter) 10 mg and 25 mg

Tablets Empozin-M 12.5/1000 mg and 25/1000 mg

Tab. Dijard 10 mg and 25 mg (highnoon Laboratory)

Tab Dijard M 10/500 mg, 10/1000 mg, 25/500 mg, and 25/1000 mg

Tablets Xenglu 10 an 25 mg

Tab. Xenglu Met 10/850 mg, 12.5/850 mg, 12.5/1000 mg

Tab. Erli 10 mg and 25 mg (PharmEvo Pharmaceuticals)

Tab. Erli plus XR 10/500, 10/1000, 25/ 500, 25/1000 mg

Tab. Empaphage 10 mg, 25 mg (Martin Dow Pharma)

Empagliflozin 10 mg costs ∼ Rs. 17 per tablet in Pakistan

Empagliflozin 25 mg costs ∼ Rs.25 per tablet in Pakistan.

Other SGLT 2 inhibitors available in Pakistan are Dapagliflozin and Ertugliflozin.

Canagliflozin is not currently available in Pakistan

Check recent prices and availability of Empagliflozin and other brands in Pakistan at Gileaz.com

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