Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Composition of Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet contains Metformin (500mg) + Empagliflozin (12.5mg). It belongs to the Biguanide and SGLT2 inhibitor / GLP-1 analogue class of medicines.

Uses of Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

• This medicine is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Key benefits

• First-choice medicine for type 2 diabetes
• Does not usually cause weight gain
• Low risk of hypoglycaemia when used alone
• Protects the heart and kidneys as well as lowering sugar
• Usually causes modest weight loss

How Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet works

This medicine combines 2 active ingredients: Metformin and Empagliflozin. Metformin lowers blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose your liver releases and by helping your muscles respond better to your own insulin. It does not force your pancreas to make more insulin, which is why it rarely causes low blood sugar on its own. Empagliflozin lowers blood sugar by making your kidneys pass surplus glucose out in the urine, and also eases the load on the heart and kidneys.

How to take Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it unless your doctor has told you to. Take it with or just after food. Taking it at about the same time each day helps you remember. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause a dangerous build-up of acid in the blood, with vomiting, severe weakness and laboured breathing. It can cause dehydration and a fall in blood pressure. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Most side effects of Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Nausea
• Loose motions
• Stomach pain
• Metallic taste
• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence
• Passing urine more often
• Thirst
• Genital itching or thrush
• Urinary infection

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Stomach upset is common in the first two weeks and usually settles; taking it with food helps. Tell your doctor before any surgery or a scan that uses contrast dye — this medicine is usually stopped for a short time around them. Stop and seek urgent care if you develop deep rapid breathing, severe weakness, muscle pain or vomiting with cold clammy skin. This is rare but serious. Long-term use can lower vitamin B12, so your doctor may check it from time to time. Drink enough water, especially in hot weather or if you have loose motions — this medicine makes you pass more urine. Seek urgent care for nausea with vomiting, stomach pain and deep rapid breathing, even if your sugar reading is normal. Report any pain, tenderness, redness or swelling in the genital area or perineum immediately — this is rare but needs same-day attention. Genital thrush is common; keep the area clean and dry and tell your doctor if it recurs.

Do not take Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or an acute illness causing dehydration. Not for people who have had diabetic ketoacidosis. Not for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. Not for people with severe kidney disease.

Interactions with other medicines

Tell your doctor about water tablets, steroids, and any contrast dye scan. Alcohol increases the risk of the rare acid build-up and should be limited. Water tablets increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure when taken with this. Low blood sugar is more likely when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.

How to store Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Empanorm M 12.5/500 mg Tablet

Take it with or just after food to reduce stomach upset. Keep taking it even when your sugar readings look normal — that is the medicine working. Continue your diet and physical activity; this medicine works alongside them, not instead of them. Take it in the morning so the extra urine does not disturb your sleep. Keep up your fluid intake and maintain genital hygiene. Tell any doctor treating you for an acute illness that you take this medicine.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

ALKEM LAB

Therapeutic class:

Anti-diabetic

Drug class:

Biguanide and SGLT2 inhibitor / GLP-1 analogue