If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Glyxambi as a treatment option for you.

It’s a prescription drug used together with diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

The active ingredients in Glyxambi are empagliflozin and linagliptin. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Glyxambi comes as a tablet that you swallow. If you and your doctor agree that Glyxambi is safe and working well for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

For more information about Glyxambi, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Glyxambi can cause mild to serious side effects (also called adverse effects). Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Glyxambi treatment. Examples of commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Keep in mind that these were the most common side effects reported in studies of Glyxambi. They don’t happen to everyone who takes the drug. And these are just a few side effects Glyxambi may cause.

Read on to learn more about some of the drug’s mild to severe side effects.

Like most drugs, Glyxambi can cause some mild side effects. Examples that have been reported include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Glyxambi unless your doctor recommends it.

Glyxambi may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Glyxambi prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Glyxambi, visit MedWatch.

While rare, treatment with Glyxambi can cause serious side effects. Certain people may be at higher risk of serious side effects, such as people with certain medical conditions or those who use certain medications. Serious side effects that have been reported with Glyxambi include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Glyxambi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Glyxambi’s side effects.

Do side effects vary depending on the strength of Glyxambi I use (10/5 mg or 25/5 mg)?

No, side effects did not vary depending on the strength of Glyxambi used in the drug’s studies. The same side effects were reported in people taking the 10-milligram (mg) empagliflozin/5-mg linagliptin dose as those who took the 5-mg empagliflozin/5-mg linagliptin dose.

There were minor differences in how often urinary tract infection (UTI) and stuffy or runny nose occurred between these doses in studies. But the differences were extremely small. You can learn more by checking out Glyxambi’s full prescribing information.

Does Glyxambi cause weight loss?

It’s not likely. Weight loss wasn’t reported among people who took Glyxambi in studies.

Glyxambi can cause dehydration, which may lead to very small, temporary drops in weight.

Glyxambi is meant to be used with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. And following a diet and exercise plan while taking Glyxambi may lead to weight loss.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or are concerned about your weight. They can help develop a diet and exercise plan for you.

Does Glyxambi cause heart failure?

It’s not believed to. Heart failure wasn’t a side effect reported by people who took Glyxambi in studies.

Heart failure is a rare but serious side effect caused by certain medications that belong to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. One of the active ingredients in Glyxambi, linagliptin, is a DPP-4 inhibitor. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) But studies have shown that heart failure isn’t a known side effect of linagliptin.

Glyxambi’s other active ingredient is empagliflozin. It’s used to lower the risk of death from cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease, in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Learn more about some of the side effects Glyxambi may cause.

Fournier’s gangrene

Although very rare, it’s possible that taking Glyxambi can result in Fournier’s gangrene as a side effect.

This side effect wasn’t reported in Glyxambi’s studies. But there have been rare reports of Fournier’s gangrene in people taking empagliflozin, one of Glyxambi’s active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Fournier’s gangrene is a serious, life threatening bacterial infection of the tissue between the anus and the genitals. It can cause symptoms such as:

  • pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital area
  • feeling unwell or sick
  • fever

This infection can kill the layer of tissue under your skin. In extreme cases, it can also spread into the bloodstream and can lead to death.

What might help

See your doctor or get emergency medical help right away if you think you have symptoms of Fournier’s gangrene. You’ll need to be treated in a hospital. This may include strong antibiotics and surgery to remove the damaged tissue. The doctor will also have you stop taking Glyxambi.

Ketoacidosis

There have been rare reports of ketoacidosis in people taking empagliflozin, one of Glyxambi’s active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) While ketoacidosis wasn’t reported in Glyxambi’s studies, it can still occur.

With ketoacidosis, you have a buildup of ketones (a type of protein) in your blood, which makes your blood too acidic. This condition is a life threatening medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital. Ketoacidosis can be deadly in extreme cases.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis can include:

Certain factors can increase your risk of ketoacidosis from taking Glyxambi, such as:

  • becoming sick with a fever while taking Glyxambi
  • consuming alcohol in large amounts
  • eating fewer calories than usual (for example, while fasting or due to illness)
  • having surgery while you’re taking Glyxambi
  • having active or past pancreatitis (swelling in your pancreas)

Glyxambi should not be used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk for ketoacidosis if they take Glyxambi.

What might help

Follow these tips to reduce your risk of ketoacidosis while taking Glyxambi:

  • Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol.
  • Talk with your doctor if you’re planning to have surgery. They may want you to temporarily stop taking Glyxambi.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you develop a fever, or are eating less than usual. They can advise you on how to help avoid ketoacidosis.

Stop taking Glyxambi and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of ketoacidosis. But call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a possible side effect from taking Glyxambi. Symptoms of a UTI can include:

If a UTI isn’t treated, it can develop into a more serious infection, such as a kidney infection or urosepsis. These serious infections weren’t reported as side effects in Glyxambi’s studies. But they have been rarely reported with empagliflozin, one of Glyxambi’s active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

What might help

To help prevent UTIs, be sure to follow these tips while taking Glyxambi:

  • avoid using perfumed products on your genitals
  • drink plenty of water and urinate often
  • keep your genital area clean by washing frequently
  • take showers instead of baths
  • urinate shortly after sex
  • wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing
  • wipe from front to back after urinating or a bowel movement

If you develop symptoms of a UTI while taking Glyxambi, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.

Joint pain

Taking Glyxambi may cause joint pain. This rare side effect has happened in people taking empagliflozin, one of Glyxambi’s active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

And severe joint pain is a rare but serious side effect caused by certain medications that belong to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. One of the active ingredients in Glyxambi, linagliptin, is a DPP-4 inhibitor. There is a known report of severe joint pain in someone taking linagliptin.

What might help

Contact your doctor if you experience joint pain while taking Glyxambi. Your doctor can help determine if there are other possible causes for this side effect. And they may recommend treatment for your joint pain, including:

  • a topical medication, such as:
    • a cream
    • an ointment
  • an over-the-counter painkiller, such as:

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Glyxambi can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Glyxambi, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Glyxambi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Glyxambi treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Glyxambi affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Glyxambi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Glyxambi. The list below includes factors to consider.

Alcohol use disorder. Having alcohol use disorder can increase your risk of pancreatitis (swelling in your pancreas). This is a rare but serious side effect Glyxambi can cause. Your doctor can help determine whether Glyxambi is safe for you to take.

History of urinary tract infections. Treatment with Glyxambi can cause urinary tract infection (UTI) as a side effect. You may be at higher risk if you have a history of frequent or recurrent UTIs. Your doctor can determine whether taking Glyxambi is safe for you.

Pancreas problems. Having pancreas problems, such as current or past pancreatitis, or past pancreas surgery, can increase your risk for ketoacidosis. This is a rare but serious side effect Glyxambi may cause. Your doctor can help determine whether this drug is safe for you to take.

Type 1 diabetes. Glyxambi isn’t used to treat type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have ketoacidosis as a side effect of taking drugs like Glyxambi. Talk with your doctor about safe, approved treatments for type 1 diabetes instead.

Increased risk of hypoglycemia with insulin use. Using Glyxambi with insulin or an insulin secretagogue (such as a sulfonylurea) increases your risk of mild and severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you need to take insulin or other diabetes medications with Glyxambi, you should talk with your doctor. If they decide it’s safe for you to take them together, they’ll likely have you monitor your blood sugar very closely. They’ll then have you change your medication doses as necessary.

Kidney problems. Taking Glyxambi if you have kidney problems could worsen your condition. You may also be at higher risk for certain side effects this drug may cause, including dehydration. If you’re on dialysis, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Glyxambi due to this risk. Your doctor will likely check your kidney function before prescribing Glyxambi for you. If they decide it’s safe for you to take, they’ll closely monitor your kidney health during treatment.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Glyxambi or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them what other medications might be better options.

Alcohol and Glyxambi

It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol, or to minimize consumption, while you’re taking Glyxambi.

This is because drinking alcohol, especially in large amounts, may increase your risk of pancreatitis (swelling in your pancreas). This is a rare but potentially life threatening side effect Glyxambi may cause. For example, people with alcohol use disorder may have an increased risk for pancreatitis.

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

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Glyxambi

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Glyxambi while pregnant. Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t take the drug during your second or third trimester. But it’s also important to note that having diabetes that isn’t managed can increase your risk of pregnancy complications. Talk with your doctor about the safest treatments for your diabetes if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Your doctor will likely recommend you avoid breastfeeding while taking Glyxambi. It’s not known whether the drug passes into human breast milk, but it could possibly cause serious side effects in a breastfed child.

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

Like most medications Glyxambi can cause side effects, but many people are able to take the drug without having any. Mild side effects caused by Glyxambi aren’t common and usually go away on their own, or can be treated. Serious side effects can occur in rare cases with this drug.

Before taking Glyxambi, talk with your doctor. Ask questions to help you become familiar with this medication and its side effects. Some examples to help get you started are:

  • Do other medications I take increase my risk of side effects from Glyxambi?
  • Does my medical history put me at increased risk of certain side effects with this drug?
  • Are there ways I can reduce my risk of side effects from Glyxambi?
  • If I have side effects while taking Glyxambi, is there a lower dose I can try instead?

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Q:

Can taking Glyxambi cause liver-related side effects?

Anonymous

A:

Glyxambi isn’t known to cause liver-related side effects. These weren’t reported in the drug’s studies. And your body doesn’t rely on your liver to remove Glyxambi after you take a dose.

Recent studies have shown that type 2 diabetes itself can cause liver problems, including liver damage. Using medications like Glyxambi can help manage type 2 diabetes and may help prevent complications of diabetes such as liver problems.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.