Empagliflozin 25 mg Tablets

1. What is Empagliflozin?

Empagliflozin is an oral medication from the drug class SGLT2 inhibitors (Sodium–Glucose Co-Transporter-2 inhibitors).

Purpose

• Primarily used to improve blood glucose control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
• Also used to reduce cardiovascular death in adults with T2DM and established heart disease.
• Helps in heart failure (HFrEF and HFpEF) to reduce hospitalizations.
• Provides renal (kidney) protection by slowing disease progression.

2. How Empagliflozin Works (Mechanism of Action)

• In kidneys, SGLT2 proteins reabsorb glucose back into the bloodstream.
• Empagliflozin blocks SGLT2, causing:
  • Excess glucose to be excreted in urine
  • Reduced blood sugar levels independently of insulin
  • Mild caloric loss (≈200–300 kcal/day)
  • Increased sodium excretion → reduces blood pressure

Key Effects

• Lowers fasting and post-meal blood glucose
• Slight weight reduction
• Mild blood pressure reduction
• Cardiovascular and renal protective effects

3. Available Strengths

Empagliflozin tablets generally come in:

• 10 mg
• 25 mg (your query)

25 mg dose is often used when:

• 10 mg isn’t giving adequate response
• Heart failure or kidney protection benefits are desired

4. Appearance & Composition

Empagliflozin 25 mg tablet (varies by brand):

• Usually white to off-white, round/oval, film-coated tablet.
• Contains:
  • Active ingredient: Empagliflozin 25 mg
  • Excipients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc. (varies).

5. Uses (Indications)

A. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Used alone (monotherapy) or with other anti-diabetic drugs such as:
  • Metformin
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • Insulin
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists

B. Heart Failure

• Reduces risk of:
  • Hospitalization for heart failure
  • Cardiovascular death

C. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

• Slows kidney function decline.
• Reduces risk of kidney failure progression.

6. Benefits

• Lowers HbA1c by 0.7–1.0%
• Weight loss of 2–3 kg on average
• Low risk of hypoglycemia (unless used with insulin or sulfonylurea)
• Decreases systolic BP by 3–5 mmHg
• Cardiovascular mortality reduction
• Kidney protection independent of glucose control

7. Pharmacokinetics (Technical Details)

Property	Detail
Absorption	Rapid; peak in 1.5 hrs
Bioavailability	~75%
Half-life	12–13 hours
Metabolism	Minor – mainly glucuronidation
Excretion	Urine + feces
Protein binding	86%

8. How to Take It

• Taken once daily, with or without food.
• Usually swallowed whole with water.
• Can be taken any time of day.

(Dosing schedules must be advised by a clinician — not provided here.)

9. Who SHOULD NOT Take It (Contraindications)

• Type 1 diabetes (risk of diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Patients on dialysis
• Severe kidney impairment (eGFR cutoffs vary by guideline)
• History of severe hypersensitivity to empagliflozin

10. Possible Side Effects

Common

• Increased urination
• Genital yeast infections (men & women)
• Urinary tract infections
• Thirst
• Dehydration symptoms
• Mild drop in blood pressure
• Weight loss

Less Common

• Increased LDL cholesterol
• Dizziness due to fluid loss

Rare but Serious

• Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA)
• Necrotizing fasciitis of perineum (Fournier’s gangrene) – very rare
• Severe dehydration leading to kidney impairment

11. Drug Interactions

Be cautious with:

• Diuretics → increases dehydration/hypotension
• Insulin or sulfonylureas → risk of hypoglycemia
• RAAS blockers (ACE/ARB) → monitor kidney function
• Lithium (may alter levels)

12. Special Precautions

• Maintain sufficient hydration
• Monitor kidney function (eGFR)
• Monitor for signs of ketoacidosis: nausea, abdominal pain, rapid breathing
• Good genital hygiene to reduce yeast infection risk
• Stop before major surgery or prolonged fasting

13. Brands (India Examples)

• Jardiance (Original – Boehringer Ingelheim)
• Empa, Glyflozin, Epanorm, Emflo, Empaglow, etc.