Jardiance Met 12.5/500 mg

Jardiance Met is used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. A prescriber considers it when both empagliflozin and metformin are suitable. Examples include the following.

• Blood sugar remains above the agreed target on metformin alone

• Metformin with other diabetes medicines has not provided adequate control

• The person already takes suitable doses of empagliflozin and metformin separately

The fixed combination is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not an emergency treatment for a very high glucose reading.

Empagliflozin has separate heart and kidney indications. Do not assume that a metformin combination suits every person with those conditions. Browse the KwickPharmacy medicine catalogue for related product details and discuss changes with your clinician.

When both ingredients are appropriate the combination supports these goals.

• Improved glucose control alongside diet and activity

• Two complementary actions within one tablet

• Fewer separate tablets for some existing treatment plans

• A low risk of low blood sugar when used without insulin or a sulfonylurea in adults

The chosen strength must match the prescribed amounts of both ingredients. A higher metformin content is not automatically better. Tolerability and kidney function influence the plan. Keep diabetes reviews and foot and eye checks even when glucose readings improve. The medicine manages diabetes rather than curing it.

Empagliflozin blocks the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys. This reduces glucose reabsorption so more glucose leaves the body through urine. The effect depends partly on kidney function. It also increases fluid loss in some people.

Metformin reduces the liver's release of glucose and helps the body respond better to insulin. Together the ingredients address different contributors to high blood sugar. Neither ingredient replaces insulin when insulin is needed.

Home glucose readings and HbA1c show how well diabetes is controlled. HbA1c reflects average blood sugar over roughly two to three months. Follow the agreed monitoring schedule rather than judging treatment by changes in urine alone.

Follow the dose and formulation on your prescription. Standard immediate release empagliflozin and metformin combination tablets are usually taken twice daily with meals. Extended release products have different instructions. Confirm the release form on the supplied pack before applying a schedule.

If one Jardiance Met 12.5/500 mg tablet is prescribed twice daily the total is 25 mg of empagliflozin and 1000 mg of metformin hydrochloride per day. This explains the tablet content and is not a starting recommendation. The prescriber considers your previous doses and kidney function. These 12.5 mg empagliflozin strengths are not universal starting options.

Take the tablet with food and water. Do not split or crush it unless the pharmacist confirms this is suitable for the supplied formulation. Do not add separate Jardiance or metformin without checking the total daily amounts.

For a missed dose follow the leaflet. Take it when remembered unless the next dose is close. Skip it when the next dose is nearly due. Never double a dose. Obtain prompt medical advice after taking more than prescribed.

Ask for a sick day plan. Stop the tablets and contact your clinician if vomiting or diarrhoea prevents normal eating or drinking and causes dehydration. Planned surgery or prolonged fasting needs a temporary interruption arranged in advance. The empagliflozin component usually requires a pause of at least three days. Contrast scans need a separate metformin assessment. Restart only as instructed.

Common Side Effects: Diarrhoea and nausea are common with metformin. Stomach discomfort and reduced appetite also occur. Taking the prescribed dose with meals helps tolerability. Empagliflozin is associated with genital yeast infections and urinary infections. Increased urination or thirst also occurs. Report persistent stomach symptoms or genital itching. Long term metformin treatment can lower vitamin B12 levels. Tell your clinician about unusual tiredness or tingling.

Serious Side Effects: Stop the medicine and get urgent medical help for vomiting with abdominal pain and difficult breathing or unusual exhaustion. Ketoacidosis occurs even without very high blood sugar. Severe weakness with muscle cramps or feeling cold also needs emergency assessment for lactic acidosis. Fever with back pain or painful urination requires prompt assessment. Genital or perineal pain with swelling and fever needs emergency help. Seek urgent help for severe dehydration or fainting. Stop treatment and get emergency help for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat. Severe low blood sugar with unconsciousness is an emergency.

Do not take this combination in the following situations.

• Allergy to empagliflozin or metformin or another tablet ingredient

• Severe kidney impairment

• Diabetic ketoacidosis or another acute metabolic acidosis

A clinician should review treatment before use with dehydration or a serious infection. Severe liver disease and conditions causing poor oxygen supply increase metformin risks. Tell the prescriber about recent heart attack or unstable heart failure. Stable heart failure requires an individual assessment rather than a blanket ban.

This combination is not for type 1 diabetes. Empagliflozin is not recommended while breastfeeding or during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Discuss plans for pregnancy and contact your clinician promptly if pregnancy occurs.

Older adults and people taking diuretics need careful hydration and kidney assessment. Follow the supplied leaflet's kidney function limits. Do not select a strength from glucose readings alone.

Give your clinician the full medicine list. Include medicines bought without a prescription and herbal products. Important examples include the following.

• Insulin and sulfonylureas which increase low blood sugar risk

• Diuretics which increase fluid loss

• Lithium which requires closer blood level monitoring

• Topiramate or acetazolamide which add to acidosis risk

• Medicines that reduce metformin clearance such as cimetidine or dolutegravir

• Iodinated contrast agents used in some scans

Avoid excessive alcohol because it increases metformin related lactic acidosis risk. Tell the scan team about the medicine before contrast procedures. Temporary stopping and a kidney check are required in specific circumstances. Do not stop prescribed insulin yourself. A pharmacist should check any additional empagliflozin or metformin product to prevent duplicate dosing.

• Follow the storage conditions printed on the carton

• Keep tablets in the original packaging

• Protect the pack from excessive heat and moisture

• Keep it out of sight and reach of children

• Check the expiry date before taking a tablet

• Do not use tablets from damaged packaging

• Return unwanted medicine to a pharmacy for suitable disposal

Retain the leaflet and batch details. Read KwickPharmacy's medicine policy for information about product checks and responsible medicine use.