Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is a prescription drug used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Steglatro can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include yeast infection and weight loss.

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

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Like most medications, Steglatro may cause mild side effects. Examples that have been reported include:

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Steglatro unless your doctor recommends it.

Steglatro may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See Steglatro’s 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 Steglatro, visit MedWatch.

Serious side effects can occur with Steglatro, although these aren’t common.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Steglatro include:

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

If you develop serious side effects while taking Steglatro, 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 Steglatro’s side effects.

Does the Steglatro 15-mg tablet increase the risk of side effects compared with the 5-mg tablet?

The Steglatro 5-milligram (mg) tablet uses are the same as the 15-mg tablet. But your risk of some side effects may be higher with the 15-mg tablet.

In studies, the risk of some side effects of Steglatro was slightly higher in people taking the 15-mg dose compared with the 5-mg dose. These side effects include:

On the other hand, the risk of some side effects of Steglatro was slightly higher in people taking the 5-mg dose compared with the 15-mg dose. These side effects include:

In general, though, the occurrence of side effects was very similar between the 5-mg and 15-mg doses. Only small differences were noted. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about how the 5-mg and 15-mg doses compare.

Can Steglatro cause weight gain?

No, Steglatro isn’t known to cause weight gain. Minor weight loss was reported by people taking Steglatro in studies.

Other drugs used to treat diabetes may cause weight gain, including insulins and a group of drugs called sulfonylureas, such as glipizide. But this side effect isn’t known to occur with Steglatro.

If your doctor prescribes Steglatro, they’ll also recommend that you take it along with a healthy diet and exercise. They can suggest ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Is it possible for Steglatro to cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Steglatro to cause long-term side effects. These can occur at any time while you’re taking this medication and include:

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

If you have other questions about long-term side effects and Steglatro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Steglatro cause liver problems?

It’s not likely. Liver problems weren’t reported by people taking Steglatro in studies.

Having diabetes increases your risk of certain liver problems, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Steglatro helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, which could reduce the risk of developing liver problems.

Certain other medications for type 2 diabetes may cause liver problems as a side effect, although this is rare.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information if you’d like to learn more about diabetes and liver problems.

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

Increased risk of limb amputation

Treatment with Steglatro increases your risk of lower limb amputation, but actual cases are rare.

Keep in mind that high blood sugar also increases your risk of amputation, and Steglatro is prescribed to help manage this condition.

In Steglatro studies, the most common causes of amputation were:

Some people who take Steglatro may be at increased risk of foot and leg amputation. This includes:

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

You can reduce your risk of foot and leg amputation while taking Steglatro by taking proper care of your feet. Below are a few tips to consider.

  • Avoid going barefoot.
  • Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, and other changes to your skin or nails.
  • Wash your feet with warm water every day (but don’t soak them).
  • Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about proper diabetic foot care.

You should call your doctor right away if you have any of the following in your leg or foot while taking Steglatro:

  • infection
  • pain or tenderness that is new
  • sores or ulcers

If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Steglatro permanently. They can suggest other type 2 diabetes treatments for you instead.

Fournier’s gangrene

Rarely, taking Steglatro can result in Fournier’s gangrene as a side effect. This is a serious, life threatening bacterial infection of the tissue between the anus and the genitals.

This side effect wasn’t reported in Steglatro studies, but there have been rare reports since the drug came on the market.

Fournier’s gangrene can cause symptoms such as:

  • pain, tenderness, skin discoloration, or swelling of the genitals or the area from the genitals to the rectum
  • 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 lead to death.

What might help

See your doctor or get emergency medical help immediately if you think you have symptoms of Fournier’s gangrene. Your treatment will occur in a hospital and may include strong antibiotics and, if necessary, surgery to remove the damaged tissue. Your doctor will also have you stop taking Steglatro.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your risk of Fournier’s gangrene with Steglatro.

Ketoacidosis

It’s possible for Steglatro to cause a serious side effect called ketoacidosis. This is caused by the buildup of ketones (a type of protein) in your blood. This condition is a life threatening medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital. Ketoacidosis can occur even when blood sugar levels are not high.

Steglatro doesn’t commonly cause ketoacidosis, but this side effect can lead to death in extreme cases.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis can include:

In some cases, certain factors can increase your risk of ketoacidosis from taking Steglatro. These include:

  • pancreatic disorders, such as:
  • a reduction in your insulin dose
  • consuming large amounts of alcohol
  • becoming sick with a fever while taking Steglatro
  • reducing the amount of food you eat (for example, while fasting or due to illness)
  • having surgery while you’re taking Steglatro

What might help

There are several things you should do to reduce your risk of ketoacidosis while taking Steglatro.

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

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

Low blood sugar

Like most medications used to treat diabetes, Steglatro may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In some cases, low blood sugar can be severe.

Having low blood sugar can cause symptoms such as:

Low blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness or coma if your blood sugar level becomes dangerously low. In extreme cases, it can even be fatal.

You’re at higher risk of low blood sugar while taking Steglatro if you:

  • use other medications that lower blood sugar levels, especially:
    • insulins (such as Tresiba)
    • drugs known as thiazolidinediones, such as Actos (pioglitazone)
    • drugs known as sulfonylureas, such as Glucotrol (glipizide)
  • skip meals
  • have a medical condition that places you at higher risk of low blood sugar

What might help

Talk with your doctor about checking your blood sugar while taking Steglatro. You should also ask what to do if your blood sugar becomes too low. Your doctor can help you develop a low blood sugar action plan.

If you have low blood sugar that feels serious or life threatening, get emergency medical help immediately by dialing 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Steglatro can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but it has happened since Steglatro came on the market.

Symptoms can be mild or 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 an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Steglatro, they’ll decide if you should continue taking 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 Steglatro, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Steglatro treatment, consider keeping 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 Steglatro affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Steglatro 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 Steglatro. Below are some factors to consider.

Type 1 diabetes: Steglatro isn’t used to treat type 1 diabetes. Drugs such as Steglatro are more likely to cause ketoacidosis when used by people with type 1 diabetes. Talk with your doctor about safe, approved treatments for type 1 diabetes instead.

Kidney problems: Taking Steglatro if you have kidney problems could worsen your condition. You may also be at higher risk of certain side effects Steglatro may cause, including dehydration or volume depletion. (Volume depletion occurs when your body loses too much sodium. If there isn’t enough sodium in your body, your kidneys will hold on to the sodium they do find, which can cause kidney injury.) Before prescribing Steglatro, your doctor will likely check your kidney function. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Steglatro. If your doctor decides Steglatro is safe for you to take, they’ll closely monitor your kidney health during treatment.

Pancreas problems: Having pancreas problems, such as active or past pancreatitis or past pancreas surgery, can increase your risk of ketoacidosis, a serious side effect Steglatro may cause. Your doctor can help determine whether Steglatro is safe for you to take if you have pancreas problems.

History of urinary tract infections (UTIs): Treatment with Steglatro can increase your risk of UTIs. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of frequent or recurrent UTIs. They can determine if taking Steglatro is safe for you.

History of diabetic foot ulcers or sores: You may be at higher risk of lower limb amputations if you take Steglatro and have a history of diabetic foot ulcers or sores. Your doctor can determine whether taking Steglatro is safe for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Steglatro or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them what other treatment options might work for you.

Alcohol and Steglatro

There’s no known direct interaction between consuming alcohol and taking Steglatro. But drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking Steglatro can increase your risk of ketoacidosis.

Drinking alcohol may also make it harder to manage your blood sugar level. So alcohol could affect how well Steglatro works.

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

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Steglatro

It’s recommended that you do not take Steglatro during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It’s also recommended that you do not breastfeed while taking this drug.

If you have questions about pregnancy or breastfeeding and taking Steglatro, talk with your doctor.

As with most medications, Steglatro can cause side effects. But many people are able to take this medication without having any. Mild side effects caused by Steglatro aren’t common and usually go away on their own or can be treated. Taking Steglatro can also cause serious side effects.

Before taking Steglatro, talk with your doctor. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

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

To learn more about Steglatro, see these articles:

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Q:

Can Steglatro be used to help lose weight?

Anonymous

A:

Steglatro is not approved as a weight loss drug and should not be used for this purpose.

People who took Steglatro in studies did report minor weight loss. People taking Steglatro lost about 4 pounds more than those taking a placebo (a pill with no active drug). This was on average over 26 weeks of treatment.

The prescription drug Wegovy was recently approved by the FDA for managing weight in adults who are obese or overweight. Wegovy contains the active drug semaglutide. This is the same active drug as Ozempic, which is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. But Steglatro contains the active drug ertugliflozin, not semaglutide, and isn’t approved for use as a weight loss drug.

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