Empagliflozin: What to Know Before You Take It

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Ketoacidosis: Assess patients who present with signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis for ketoacidosis, regardless of blood glucose level. If suspected, discontinue JARDIANCE, evaluate and treat promptly. Before initiating JARDIANCE, consider risk factors for ketoacidosis. Patients on JARDIANCE may require monitoring and temporary discontinuation of therapy in clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis. ( 5.1 ) Volume Depletion: Before initiating JARDIANCE, assess volume status and renal function in patients with impaired renal function, elderly patients, or patients on loop diuretics. Monitor for signs and symptoms during therapy. ( 5.2 , 6.1 ) Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis: Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated ( 5.3 ) Hypoglycemia: Consider lowering the dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia when initiating JARDIANCE ( 5.4 ) Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier's Gangrene): Serious, life-threatening cases have occurred in both females and males. Assess patients presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise. If suspected, institute prompt treatment. ( 5.5 ) Genital Mycotic Infections: Monitor and treat as appropriate ( 5.6 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema) have occurred with JARDIANCE. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue JARDIANCE, treat promptly, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Ketoacidosis Reports of ketoacidosis, a serious life-threatening condition requiring urgent hospitalization have been identified in clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, including JARDIANCE. Fatal cases of ketoacidosis have been reported in patients taking JARDIANCE. In placebo-controlled trials of patients with type 1 diabetes, the risk of ketoacidosis was increased in patients who received SGLT2 inhibitors compared to patients who received placebo. JARDIANCE is not indicated for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . Patients treated with JARDIANCE who present with signs and symptoms consistent with severe metabolic acidosis should be assessed for ketoacidosis regardless of presenting blood glucose levels, as ketoacidosis associated with JARDIANCE may be present even if blood glucose levels are less than 250 mg/dL. If ketoacidosis is suspected, JARDIANCE should be discontinued, patient should be evaluated, and prompt treatment should be instituted. Treatment of ketoacidosis may require insulin, fluid and carbohydrate replacement. In many of the postmarketing reports, and particularly in patients with type 1 diabetes, the presence of ketoacidosis was not immediately recognized and institution of treatment was delayed because presenting blood glucose levels were below those typically expected for diabetic ketoacidosis (often less than 250 mg/dL). Signs and symptoms at presentation were consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. In some but not all cases, factors predisposing to ketoacidosis such as insulin dose reduction, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, surgery, pancreatic disorders suggesting insulin deficiency (e.g., type 1 diabetes, history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery), and alcohol abuse were identified. Before initiating JARDIANCE, consider factors in the patient history that may predispose to ketoacidosis including pancreatic insulin deficiency from any cause, caloric restriction, and alcohol abuse. For patients who undergo scheduled surgery, consider temporarily discontinuing JARDIANCE for at least 3 days prior to surgery [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 , 12.3) ] . Consider monitoring for ketoacidosis and temporarily discontinuing JARDIANCE in other clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis (e.g., prolonged fasting due to acute illness or post-surgery). Ensure risk factors for ketoacidosis are resolved prior to restarting JARDIANCE. Educate patients on the signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis and instruct patients to discontinue JARDIANCE and seek medical attention immediately if signs and symptoms occur. 5.2 Volume Depletion JARDIANCE can cause intravascular volume depletion which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . There have been post-marketing reports of acute kidney injury, some requiring hospitalization and dialysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including JARDIANCE. Patients with impaired renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), elderly patients, or patients on loop diuretics may be at increased risk for volume depletion or hypotension. Before initiating JARDIANCE in patients with one or more of these characteristics, assess volume status and renal function. In patients with volume depletion, correct this condition before initiating JARDIANCE. Monitor for signs and symptoms of volume depletion, and renal function after initiating therapy. 5.3 Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis There have been reports of serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including JARDIANCE. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors increases the risk for urinary tract infections. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . 5.4 Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues Insulin and insulin secretagogues are known to cause hypoglycemia. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when JARDIANCE is used in combination with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Therefore, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with JARDIANCE. 5.5 Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier's Gangrene) Reports of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier's gangrene), a rare but serious and life-threatening necrotizing infection requiring urgent surgical intervention, have been identified in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including JARDIANCE. Cases have been reported in both females and males. Serious outcomes have included hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and death. Patients treated with JARDIANCE presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise, should be assessed for necrotizing fasciitis. If suspected, start treatment immediately with broad-spectrum antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical debridement. Discontinue JARDIANCE, closely monitor blood glucose levels, and provide appropriate alternative therapy for glycemic control. 5.6 Genital Mycotic Infections JARDIANCE increases the risk for genital mycotic infections [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients with a history of chronic or recurrent genital mycotic infections were more likely to develop genital mycotic infections. Monitor and treat as appropriate. 5.7 Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema) in patients treated with JARDIANCE. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue JARDIANCE; treat promptly per standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. JARDIANCE is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in JARDIANCE [see Contraindications (4) ] .