Empagliflozin/Jardiance and Metformin

carina62

Well-Known Member
Messages
349
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
miserable weather, rude and bad mannered people
I've tried dapagliflozin and ended up with thrush and burning urination but the worst side effect was incredible palpitations. Just wondered if anyone else can share their experience. My GP wants me to use Empagliflozin, but naturally I am reluctant to do so.

Why are you reluctant?
 

joeynomates1969

Well-Known Member
Messages
68
Hiya, I'm reluctant because of all the nasty side effects I get. I've been using insulin recently and in the passed 7 days I've gained 6lbs!! Its not the weight gain that's the issue, it's the rapid weight gain that concerns me. I just wondered if there were other people like me who have had side effects to the medication used.
 

TrevorFisher

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I’ve always been told that insulin does make you gain weight.

My blood sugar got a bit out of control earlier this year, I went to see a consultant, he put me on Empagliflozin.
Along with cutting out any form of bread, and lowering my overall intake of carbs as much as possible my blood sugar has gone right down.
Recent Hba1c 6.9, much lower than last time.
I’ve had no side effects, although was warned about thrush.
 

Liam1955

Master
Messages
10,964
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Anti-Gay People, Self Centre People, Two Faced People and Bad Language.
I have been on Insulin for 5 years and I have lost weight during this time I have gone from 15 stone 4 lbs to what I am now 12 stone 8 lbs.
 

Rose22

Well-Known Member
Messages
282
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I've tried dapagliflozin and ended up with thrush and burning urination but the worst side effect was incredible palpitations. Just wondered if anyone else can share their experience. My GP wants me to use Empagliflozin, but naturally I am reluctant to do so.
Same only lasted one week! Burning beyond painful when urinating! Had so much sugar in my system apparently when dropped urine sample in to see if uti. Stopped the med, now on Gliclazide. Andy drug ending in flozin is that family, so it changes how your kidneys work and you wee out the excess sugar. I also had horrible palpitations, as another member mentioned.
 
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lindisfel

Expert
Messages
5,659
Hi,
Thanks for this info I will certainly not ask about this series of drugs even if they are good for heart failure, since I may have a problem in that direction. I will ask my endo about Metformin.
Jardiance is an expensive drug, unlike Metformin.
D.
 

Mrs.R

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Exercise
I was put on Jardiance with metformin to help control my type 2 I took it for 6 weeks, in that time I had thrush, itchiness, terrible thirst and a bad smell ‘down below ‘ this I found out was nothing compared to the immune Thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) that I endured. I woke up one morning with blood blisters in my mouth, and purple bruise like spots on my lower body, my platelets had gone dangerously low (only 6 instead of 300+) ended up in hospital on steroids, had to have a bone marrow biopsy and visits and blood tests for almost 2 years. I believe it was the jardiance, doctors won’t confirm it, but I stopped taking it while in hospital, I’m now on more metformin (along with the upset tummy that goes with it) but the ITP has not (touch wood) returned. On researching it I’ve since found out that it can affect platelet production in 9 out of 100 people (I believe that this figure could actually be higher) My point is, if you’re on jardiance please check for unusual bruising, as this is the first sign of this horrible ‘side effect’
 

Dudette1

Well-Known Member
Messages
247
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad attitude
I have just started on jardiance and wow did I feel weird the first 2 days. I’ve been ok today just more tired than usual. I think the tablets along with the sudden drop in blood sugar as well is a reason. I felt dizzy, confused and so so tired. It’s working on lowering my blood sugar but seems there is so many side effects from this medication no one seems to get off easy.
 

symmit

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Prefer not to say
Treatment type
Other
I've been on empag for three months now 10mg plus 2g of Metformin - this combination has brought my a1c down to 46 and has made me and my diabetic nurse quite happy.

Took a couple of weeks to get used to it and am staying deliberately well hydrated but impressed with how it has worked for me.
 
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TrevorFisher

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I’ve been on empag for 7 months now, after letting my bg get a bit out of control.
Along with cutting bread, rice, and pasta from my diet my bg has dropped steadily. My Hba1c is now 6.2 super happy.
I’ve been able to reduce insulin intake by 20%, now hoping to also reduce metformin as well.
I’ve also lost 5kgs.
 

Dudette1

Well-Known Member
Messages
247
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad attitude
I’ve been on empag for 7 months now, after letting my bg get a bit out of control.
Along with cutting bread, rice, and pasta from my diet my bg has dropped steadily. My Hba1c is now 6.2 super happy.
I’ve been able to reduce insulin intake by 20%, now hoping to also reduce metformin as well.
I’ve also lost 5kgs.
Well done and even more well done for losing the 5kgs that is awesome..you should be well proud..I go for my first hba1c since starting them In November so fingers x mine comes down as well.
 

Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
I’ve been on empag for 7 months now, after letting my bg get a bit out of control.
Along with cutting bread, rice, and pasta from my diet my bg has dropped steadily. My Hba1c is now 6.2 super happy.
I’ve been able to reduce insulin intake by 20%, now hoping to also reduce metformin as well.
I’ve also lost 5kgs.
Can I ask if you were told not to do low carb because of DKA risk. I have been taking Jardiance, but bs gone up as I increased carb intake.
 

Dudette1

Well-Known Member
Messages
247
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad attitude
Can I ask if you were told not to do low carb because of DKA risk. I have been taking Jardiance, but bs gone up as I increased carb intake.
I wasn’t told anything about diet, I have kind of done it myself in a way. I use an app called lose it. I stay within my calories rather than low carb. It really does lower your blood sugar a lot. I was in the 13s and 14s I’m now in the 4s..I was 3.5 on my walk yesterday so always always have sweets handy. I don’t eat excess carbs,I may have 2 slices of bread at some point in the day, that’s it on the bread intake, the only other high carb I eat is jacket or mash potatoes and that’s about as high carb as I go. Try not to eat to many carbs and test regular to keep in check. I Eat 3 meals a day and I walk up to 3-4 miles a day. I don’t eat pasta or rice. I still keep my carbs fairly low but it’s dangerous as jardiance significantly lowers it so quick. A couple of sweets to bring you back up till your next meal is perfect. I don’t know your eating Habits, so for instance yesterday I had 4 whole grain crackers, low carb and low calories, I had a cheese,ham,lettuce and mayo sandwich for dinner. Then shepherds pie for my tea. I walk and check my sugars regular to see if I spike. My bloods now have never gone over 7.8 since starting jardiance. Here to help if you have any questions x
 
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Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
I wasn’t told anything about diet, I have kind of done it myself in a way. I use an app called lose it. I stay within my calories rather than low carb. It really does lower your blood sugar a lot. I was in the 13s and 14s I’m now in the 4s..I was 3.5 on my walk yesterday so always always have sweets handy. I don’t eat excess carbs,I may have 2 slices of bread at some point in the day, that’s it on the bread intake, the only other high carb I eat is jacket or mash potatoes and that’s about as high carb as I go. Try not to eat to many carbs and test regular to keep in check. I Eat 3 meals a day and I walk up to 3-4 miles a day. I don’t eat pasta or rice. I still keep my carbs fairly low but it’s dangerous as jardiance significantly lowers it so quick. A couple of sweets to bring you back up till your next meal is perfect. I don’t know your eating Habits, so for instance yesterday I had 4 whole grain crackers, low carb and low calories, I had a cheese,ham,lettuce and mayo sandwich for dinner. Then shepherds pie for my tea. I walk and check my sugars regular to see if I spike. My bloods now have never gone over 7.8 since starting jardiance. Here to help if you have any questions x
 

Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
Hi. Thanks for the response. Took 10mg Jardiance for last week. 40g all bran and milk comes out as a 9 2 hours post meal. Wholemeal pitta and tuna about 9.4. Steak. Few diced potatoes 9.7. So not great. Doing LCHF I would get a 6/7 lunch and dinner time. 2 hours after meal. It’s just breakfast (greek yoghurt/ bran or porridge) came out as 10-13 without Jardiance. I take 2000mg metformin too. I felt thirsty, sometimes nauseous in afternoon. Ok some days. I did test a few hours after (3/4) and it is down at 4.3. I teach fitness classes. Feel quite low 3-4 hours after. I stopped yesterday. But not sure good idea stopping/ starting as hba1c not going to tell me much. Not sure what to do for best. My last hba1c was 56mmol on low carb and metformin. Was diagnosed January with 96mmol. She added Jardiance as said 56mmol too high for a 44 year old. Having been given diet guidance. Nurse just says I doubt your producing enough insulin as lost 2 stone on low carb since Jan and now 9st 7. Not sure what to do next. Think nurse will think I am crazy if I say stopped Jardiance.
 
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Dudette1

Well-Known Member
Messages
247
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad attitude
Hi. Thanks for the response. Took 10mg Jardiance for last week. 40g all bran and milk comes out as a 9 2 hours post meal. Wholemeal pitta and tuna about 9.4. Steak. Few diced potatoes 9.7. So not great. Doing LCHF I would get a 6/7 lunch and dinner time. 2 hours after meal. It’s just breakfast (greek yoghurt/ bran or porridge) came out as 10-13 without Jardiance. I take 2000mg metformin too. I felt thirsty, sometimes nauseous in afternoon. Ok some days. I did test a few hours after (3/4) and it is down at 4.3. I teach fitness classes. Feel quite low 3-4 hours after. I stopped yesterday. But not sure good idea stopping/ starting as hba1c not going to tell me much. Not sure what to do for best. My last hba1c was 56mmol on low carb and metformin. Was diagnosed January with 96mmol. She added Jardiance as said 56mmol too high for a 44 year old. Having been given diet guidance. Nurse just says I doubt your producing enough insulin as lost 2 stone on low carb since Jan and now 9st 7. Not sure what to do next. Think nurse will think I am crazy if I say stopped Jardiance.
I think you know your body and how you feel, it took me a couple of weeks to adjust and it’s for the better..well done on the weight loss you are doing amazing. I don’t think you should just stop it but that’s your own decision and if you feel that’s right for you then it’s right..9s and 10s are still high readings, I used to feel lousy after exercise with jardiance but now I’m fine, just took some adjusting. We have to do what we feel is right but have to think of our health also and the damage it can do having high readings. Let me know how you get on when you see the nurse and how your readings have been,
 
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Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
I think you know your body and how you feel, it took me a couple of weeks to adjust and it’s for the better..well done on the weight loss you are doing amazing. I don’t think you should just stop it but that’s your own decision and if you feel that’s right for you then it’s right..9s and 10s are still high readings, I used to feel lousy after exercise with jardiance but now I’m fine, just took some adjusting. We have to do what we feel is right but have to think of our health also and the damage it can do having high readings. Let me know how you get on when you see the nurse and how your readings have been,
 

Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
Will get hba1c in December and see what it is. Guessing it will be mid 50s again though, even on low carb diet as I’ll get a 5 and a 9 in one day most days. I have asked dr if I can have LADA test as a slim active person it’s frustrating that I can’t control. He is going to ring me next weds. If definitely type 2 can try Jardiance again. It’s just it wasn’t improving my 2 hour post meal readings well as had increased carbs to avoid dka. Wasn’t given advice on how much I needed to increase carbs. Was told to carry on Low carb if I wanted. Have just come off contraceptive pill and breakfast reading a bit better. Will let you know what happens.
 
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