Ertugliflozin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Ertugliflozin Tablet is a prescription medicine from the SGLT2 inhibitor class, used in adults with type 2 diabetes to help lower blood sugar. It works through the kidneys to remove extra sugar and fluid in the urine. It is taken once a day and comes with specific warnings about infections, dehydration, and other risks that should be discussed with a doctor.

What is Ertugliflozin Tablet

Ertugliflozin is a prescription tablet used to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group of medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors.

Ertugliflozin Tablet uses

• Type 2 diabetes.
• Improving blood sugar control with diet and exercise.
• Managing high blood sugar in adults.
• Supporting long-term glucose control.
• Additional diabetes treatment when prescribed.

Benefits of Ertugliflozin Tablet

• Helps lower blood sugar.
• Improves glucose control.
• May support weight reduction.
• May help lower blood pressure.
• Supports diabetes management.

How Ertugliflozin Tablet works

Ertugliflozin works by blocking a protein in the kidneys called SGLT2, which normally reabsorbs sugar back into the blood. By blocking it, the kidneys remove more sugar and extra fluid through the urine, which lowers blood sugar levels.

Ertugliflozin Tablet dosage

Take by mouth once a day in the morning, with or without food. Take it at around the same time every day. Take it exactly as your doctor directs; do not take more, less, or more often than prescribed. Continue taking it even if you feel well; it controls diabetes but does not cure it. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose—then skip the missed dose and do not double up.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (5 mg and 15 mg)

Side effects of Ertugliflozin Tablet

Common

• Urinating a lot, including at night
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Vaginal odor, discharge, or itching
• Redness, itching, swelling, rash, discharge, or pain in the skin around the penis
• Urinary tract infections
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Serious

• Signs of a genital infection: burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, feeling unwell
• Signs of a urinary tract or kidney infection: frequent, urgent, burning, or painful urination; decrease in urine; cloudy, red, pink, or brown urine; strong smelling urine; pelvic or back pain; fever; nausea or vomiting
• Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, dark urine, decreased sweating, dry skin
• New pain, tenderness, sores, ulcers, or infections in the legs or feet (possible sign of serious infection related to amputation risk)
• Signs of ketoacidosis: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing
• Little or no urination
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of low blood sugar: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, feeling jittery

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can increase the risk of leg or foot amputation, especially in people who have had a previous amputation, foot ulcers, or poor circulation.
• This medicine can cause serious infections of the genitals or area around the genitals, including a rare but life-threatening infection called Fournier's gangrene.
• This medicine can cause dehydration, so it is important to drink enough water while taking it.
• This medicine may cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis, where the blood becomes too acidic, even if blood sugar looks normal.
• This medicine can cause low blood pressure and dizziness when standing up quickly, especially when starting treatment.
• This medicine is not approved for people with type 1 diabetes and may increase the risk of ketoacidosis in those patients.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant. It should not be used during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
• Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe kidney disease or those on dialysis, and caution is needed in people with kidney problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before starting this medicine.
• Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol while on this medicine, since alcohol can change blood sugar levels and worsen side effects.
• This medicine does not usually affect your ability to drive, but it can cause dizziness or sleepiness in some people, so be cautious.

Storage

• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children
• Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)
• Keep unused tablets in the foil blister pack in its original container
• Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them; do not flush this medication down the toilet; use a medicine take-back program

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seek medical attention right away if you notice burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital or rectal area, along with fever or feeling unwell.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice new pain, tenderness, sores, ulcers, or infections in your legs or feet.
• Call your doctor immediately if you have little or no urination.
• Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical treatment if you have signs of ketoacidosis, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, or difficulty breathing.
• Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, eating or drinking less than usual, or sweating more than usual, since this can affect your blood sugar.

Alternatives

• Ipragliflozin
• Dapagliflozin
• Empagliflozin