Glyxambi is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Glyxambi should be used along with diet and exercise.

One of Glyxambi’s active drugs also helps reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. The drug has this effect in adults with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Note: This drug has certain limitations on its use. For more information, see the “Glyxambi uses” section below.

Drug details

Glyxambi contains two active ingredients: empagliflozin and linagliptin. These drugs belong to different drug classes. Empagliflozin is classified as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor. And linagliptin is classified as a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor.

Glyxambi comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in two strengths:

  • 10 milligrams (mg) empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin
  • 25 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Glyxambi, see the “Glyxambi uses” section below.

Glyxambi contains two active ingredients: empagliflozin and linagliptin. This combination is only available as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Glyxambi can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Glyxambi. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Glyxambi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Glyxambi, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Glyxambi can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Glyxambi. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Glyxambi’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Glyxambi aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas) can occur while taking Glyxambi. This side effect didn’t occur in clinical trials of the drug. However, it was a rare side effect in clinical trials of linagliptin (one of the active ingredients in Glyxambi). To find out how often this side effect occurred, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Symptoms of pancreatitis can include:

  • severe abdominal pain that doesn’t go away
  • abdominal pain that spreads to your back
  • vomiting

It’s not known whether it’s safe for people who’ve had pancreatitis in the past to take Glyxambi. Before you begin treatment, tell your doctor if you’ve had pancreatitis or alcohol use disorder.* You should also let them know if you’ve had gallstones (stones in your gallbladder) or high blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat). This will help your doctor determine if Glyxambi is safe for you to take.

Pancreatitis can be fatal in rare and extreme cases. If you notice symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Glyxambi, call your doctor right away. But if your symptoms feel life threatening, seek emergency medical help. Pancreatitis may require treatment in the hospital.

* For more information about taking Glyxambi and consuming alcohol, see the “Glyxambi and alcohol” section below.

Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis has rarely occurred with empagliflozin (one of the active drugs in Glyxambi). Because Glyxambi contains empagliflozin, Glyxambi can also cause this side effect. However, ketoacidosis wasn’t reported in Glyxambi’s clinical trials. But it was reported since the drug was approved for use. To find out how often this side effect occurred, see the drug’s prescribing information.

With ketoacidosis, your body’s cells don’t get enough glucose (a type of sugar), which they need for energy. Your body begins to use fat for energy instead. This can cause high levels of ketones (a type of chemical) to build up in your blood. It can also cause your blood to become too acidic. In severe and rare cases, ketoacidosis can cause coma or even death.

Early symptoms and signs of ketoacidosis can include:

Later, you may have the following symptoms:

In clinical trials, people with type 1 diabetes had a higher risk of ketoacidosis when they took Glyxambi. Due to this risk, doctors will not prescribe Glyxambi to people with type 1 diabetes. (For more information, see the “Glyxambi uses” section below)

If you have any of symptoms of ketoacidosis, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or feel life threatening, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

Dehydration

Glyxambi may cause dehydration in some people. While it’s not common, there have been a few reports of people having sudden kidney damage due to dehydration from Glyxambi. And this kidney damage required treatment in a hospital. To find out how often this happened in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Symptoms of dehydration can include feeling dizzy, weak, or lightheaded, or fainting. These symptoms may be worse when you go from sitting or lying down to standing up.

Certain people are at higher risk of dehydration if they take Glyxambi. This includes people who:

Before you start taking Glyxambi, your doctor will evaluate your risk of dehydration. You should tell them if you change certain habits while taking Glyxambi. These include changing the amount of liquid or food you consume, or how much time you spend in the sun. Also let them know if you have diarrhea or vomiting.

Your doctor will likely advise you on how to stay hydrated while taking Glyxambi. Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of dehydration while taking Glyxambi.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Glyxambi. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Glyxambi, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

As with all medications, the cost of Glyxambi can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Glyxambi. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Before approving coverage for Glyxambi, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Glyxambi, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Glyxambi, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Glyxambi, offers a Savings Card program. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Glyxambi may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Glyxambi, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

Glyxambi contains two active ingredients, empagliflozin and linagliptin. This combination is only available as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Glyxambi, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Alternatives for diabetes and diabetes with cardiovascular disease

Examples of other drugs that may be taken to treat type 2 diabetes, include:

Keep in mind, one of the active drugs in Glyxambi is empagliflozin. And empagliflozin helps lower certain risks in people with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Examples of other medications that have this effect include:

  • empagliflozin (Jardiance)
  • liraglutide (Victoza)

The Glyxambi dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Glyxambi to treat
  • your age
  • other medical conditions you may have
  • other medications you may take

The following information describes dosages that are commonly taken or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Glyxambi comes as an oral tablet. It contains two active ingredients: empagliflozin and linagliptin. The tablets come in two strengths:

  • 10 milligrams (mg) empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin
  • 25 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

The typical starting dose of Glyxambi is 10 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin once daily.

Your doctor will likely recommend you take this dose in the morning.

Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to the maximum dose of 25 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Glyxambi, try and take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day, just skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose as normal. Do not take more than one dose of Glyxambi at a time. Taking more than one dose at a time could raise your risk of side effects, such as low blood sugar.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Glyxambi is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Glyxambi is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Glyxambi to treat certain conditions.

Glyxambi for type 2 diabetes

Glyxambi is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Glyxambi should be used along with diet and exercise.

One of Glyxambi’s active drugs also helps reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. The drug has this effect in adults with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Note: Your doctor will not prescribe Glyxambi if you have type 1 diabetes. This is because the drug was shown to raise the risk of ketoacidosis in clinical trials. It’s also not known whether it’s safe to take Glyxambi if you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas). Additionally, your doctor will not recommend you take Glyxambi if you have severe kidney problems.

To learn more about diabetes, see our MNT hub for diabetes.

What happens in type 2 diabetes

With diabetes, glucose (a type of sugar) builds up in your blood. Usually, a hormone called insulin works to move glucose from your blood into your cells. This allows your cells to use glucose for energy.

However, with type 2 diabetes, your cells stop responding to insulin. This means insulin doesn’t work as well as it should to lower blood sugar levels. So, your blood sugar levels will remain high. As diabetes progresses, your body may stop making insulin entirely.

Having high blood sugar levels over time can cause damage to your body and organs. These include your eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves. This can cause several symptoms that may lead to serious complications, such as heart failure and kidney problems.

What happens with diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease can be caused by diabetes. And it’s the most common cause of death in people with diabetes. With diabetes, the high level of sugar in your blood can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. This can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease over time.

Effectiveness for type 2 diabetes

Glyxambi has been found effective for treating type 2 diabetes, including type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular disease. For information on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Glyxambi’s full prescribing information.

Glyxambi and children

Glyxambi isn’t approved for use in children. The drug hasn’t been studied in this group.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Glyxambi.

Does Glyxambi cause weight loss?

Possibly. Weight loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in Glyxambi’s clinical trials. However, Glyxambi can cause certain side effects, such as dehydration and ketoacidosis, which may lead to temporary weight loss. (For more information about side effects, see the “Glyxambi side effects” section above.)

Keep in mind that treating diabetes with lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise, can lead to weight loss. Glyxambi is meant to be taken along with diet and exercise.

If you’re concerned about weight loss with Glyxambi, talk with your doctor.

Is Glyxambi safe to take?

Yes. In general, Glyxambi is safe to take.

However, there are certain people that should not be prescribed Glyxambi. Your doctor won’t prescribe Glyxambi if you have type 1 diabetes. This is because the drug was shown to raise the risk of ketoacidosis in clinical trials. (With ketoacidosis, you have a high level of acid in your blood.)

It’s also not known whether it’s safe to take Glyxambi if you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas). Additionally, your doctor will not recommend Glyxambi if you have severe kidney problems.

Glyxambi may cause side effects, including serious ones. However, most people are able to take the drug without experiencing side effects. For more information, see the “Glyxambi side effects” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Is Glyxambi taken with metformin?

It depends. Glyxambi may sometimes be prescribed with metformin for improving blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In fact, Glyxambi was studied in combination with metformin in clinical trials. To see how this drug combination worked to lower blood sugar, see Glyxambi’s full prescribing information.

If you begin Glyxambi treatment, your doctor may recommend changes to your diabetes medications, including metformin. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how Glyxambi fits into your diabetes care plan.

Glyxambi is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Glyxambi should be used along with diet and exercise.

One of Glyxambi’s active drugs also helps reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. The drug has this effect in adults with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

About diabetes

With diabetes, glucose (a type of sugar) builds up in your blood. Usually, a hormone called insulin works to move glucose from your blood into your cells. This allows your cells to use glucose for energy.

However, with type 2 diabetes, your cells stop responding to insulin. This means insulin doesn’t work as well as it should to lower blood sugar levels. So, your blood sugar levels will remain high. As diabetes progresses, your body may stop making insulin entirely.

Having high blood sugar levels over time can cause damage to your body and organs. These include your eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves. This can cause several symptoms that may lead to serious complications, such as heart failure and kidney problems.

About diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease can be caused by diabetes. And it’s the most common cause of death in people with diabetes. With diabetes, the high level of sugar in your blood can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. This can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease over time.

What Glyxambi does

Glyxambi contains two active ingredients: empagliflozin and linagliptin. They each have a different mechanism of action (way they work):

  • Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar by increasing how much sugar your body gets rid of in your urine.
  • Linagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. DPP-4 inhibitors lower blood sugar by helping your body release insulin when your blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps moves sugar out of your blood and into your cells. It also signals to your liver to stop making sugar. This helps lower your blood sugar levels.

It isn’t known how Glyxambi helps to reduce the risk of death in people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In general, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. This can lead to cardiovascular disease. So, lowering your blood sugar may help reduce your risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.

Glyxambi has a half-life of about 11 hours. This is the time it takes your body to get rid of one-half of a dose.

How long does it take to work?

Glyxambi begins working as soon as you take a dose. But it may be a few weeks before you notice changes in your blood sugar level. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information on how they’ll monitor you to determine whether Glyxambi is working for you.

Glyxambi can interact with several other medications.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Glyxambi and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Glyxambi. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Glyxambi.

Before taking Glyxambi, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Medications that may interact with Glyxambi include:

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information, see the “Glyxambi side effects” section above.

Glyxambi and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Glyxambi. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Glyxambi.

Glyxambi and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Glyxambi. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Glyxambi, talk with your doctor.

Drinking alcohol, especially frequently or in excessive amounts, could raise your risk of side effects from Glyxambi.

Specifically, drinking a lot of alcohol may raise your risk of ketoacidosis, a rare but possibly life threatening side effect of Glyxambi. (With ketoacidosis, you have a high level of acid in your blood.) You may have a higher risk of this side effect if you binge drink or drink alcohol often. (For more information on side effects, see “Glyxambi side effects” above.)

It’s also important to note that drinking alcohol can lower your blood sugar. And keep in mind that Glyxambi also lowers your blood sugar. So, drinking alcohol while taking the drug could raise your risk of severe low blood sugar. In rare cases, severe low blood sugar can be life threatening.

If you consume alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you to drink while taking Glyxambi.

You should take Glyxambi according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Glyxambi comes as a tablet that you swallow.

When to take

You’ll take Glyxambi once a day, in the morning.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can put Glyxambi in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids.

Taking Glyxambi with food

You may take Glyxambi with or without food.

Can Glyxambi be crushed, split, or chewed?

The manufacturer of Glyxambi hasn’t stated whether the tablets may be crushed, split, or chewed. If you’re having trouble swallowing Glyxambi tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to help make swallowing tablets easier. You can also see this article.

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Glyxambi while pregnant. But your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t take the drug during the second or third trimester. This is based on animal studies. These studies showed possible harm to offspring when Glyxambi was given during similar times in pregnancy. Keep in mind that animal studies don’t always predict how drugs will affect people.

However, having diabetes that isn’t managed can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, including serious complications like pre-term delivery or stillbirth. And Glyxambi is used to help manage diabetes.

Talk with your doctor about the best ways to manage your diabetes if you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.

It’s not known if Glyxambi is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Glyxambi treatment.

For more information about taking Glyxambi during pregnancy, see the “Glyxambi and pregnancy” section above.

Your doctor will likely not recommend breastfeeding during Glyxambi treatment.

It isn’t known whether Glyxambi passes into human breast milk. But if it does, it could possibly cause serious side effects in a breastfed child, such as problems with kidney development.

Talk with your doctor about safe feeding options for your child while you’re taking Glyxambi.

Before taking Glyxambi, talk with your doctor about your health history. Glyxambi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or genital infections. Glyxambi can raise your risk of UTIs and certain genital infections. If you have a history of frequent UTIs or genital infections, talk with your doctor before you start taking Glyxambi. They may recommend taking a different medication that’s safer for you. If they prescribe you Glyxambi, they may monitor you more closely for UTIs or genital infections.
  • Severe kidney problems, including having dialysis treatment. Having severe kidney problems can raise your risk of side effects if you take Glyxambi. This includes people receiving dialysis treatment. Your doctor can help determine the severity of your kidney problems, and whether Glyxambi is safe for you to take. Because of this the risk of side effects, doctors typically won’t prescribe Glyxambi if you have severe kidney problems.
  • Pancreas problems. It’s not known if it’s safe to take Glyxambi if you have pancreas problems. Glyxambi can rarely cause pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas) as a side effect. So, it’s possible that people with pancreas problems may be at higher risk of pancreatitis if they take Glyxambi. Talk with your doctor about whether Glyxambi is safe to take if you have pancreas problems.
  • Type 1 diabetes. Doctors will not prescribe Glyxambi to treat type 1 diabetes. This is because the drug was shown to raise the risk of ketoacidosis in clinical trials. (With ketoacidosis, you have a high level of acid in your blood.) If you have type 1 diabetes, ask your doctor about other treatments.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Glyxambi or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe you the drug. Ask your doctor what other medications could be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It isn’t known whether it’s safe to take Glyxambi while pregnant. For more information, see the “Glyxambi and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It isn’t known whether it’s safe to breastfeed while taking Glyxambi. For more information, see the “Glyxambi and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Glyxambi, see the “Glyxambi side effects” section above.

Do not take more Glyxambi than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Glyxambi

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Glyxambi from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to take it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to take can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Glyxambi tablets should be stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F / 20°C to 25°C). And they should be kept in a tightly sealed container. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Glyxambi and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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