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empagliflozin/linagliptin

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Brand names: Glyxambi

SGLT2 / DPP-4 Combination Rx

Glyxambi is a drug that combines three medicines to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of death from heart problems in those with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$19.57/unit

Generic Available

No

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Glyxambi is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Common side effects

Upper respiratory infection (like a cold), Urinary tract infection, Runny or stuffy nose

Key warnings

Glyxambi contains metformin, which can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis.

How It Works

Glyxambi works in three ways to lower blood sugar. Empagliflozin helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through urine. Linagliptin helps your body release more insulin after meals. Metformin helps to decrease the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps your body use insulin better.

How to Take It

Take Glyxambi once a day, in the morning, with a meal. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, split, or chew them. Your doctor may adjust your dose over time. Do not take more than 25 mg of empagliflozin, 5 mg of linagliptin, and 2,000 mg of metformin per day.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Glyxambi is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to potential harm to the baby's kidneys. It is also not recommended while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Storage

Store Glyxambi at room temperature, away from high humidity.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 876 FDA adverse event reports.

Increased blood sugar
146
Diabetic ketoacidosis
144
Feeling sick to your stomach
102
Fungal infection
92
Weight loss
86
Feeling dizzy
74
Throwing up
67
Urinary tract infection
59
The medicine is not working
53
Feeling tired
53

Serious Warnings

Glyxambi contains metformin, which can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. It can be life-threatening. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like feeling very weak, tired, or uncomfortable; unusual muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feeling cold, especially in your arms and legs; feeling dizzy or lightheaded; or a sudden change in your heartbeat.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate metformin

Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Alcohol Clinical Impact Alcohol is known to potentiate the effect of metformin on lactate metabolism. ( 7 ) Drugs that Reduce...

Mechanism: Taking these medications together can cause metformin to build up in your blood because the kidneys cannot remove it as quickly. This increase can lead to a dangerous condition where too much acid builds up in your blood.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor your kidney function and may need to adjust your medication doses.

Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Mechanism: Dolutegravir blocks the kidneys from filtering metformin out of your blood, which makes metformin levels rise. Higher levels of metformin increase the risk of a serious health problem called lactic acidosis.

What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your metformin dose or check your blood levels more often.

moderate ranolazine

Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Mechanism: Ranolazine prevents the kidneys from properly removing metformin from your system, leading to higher amounts of the drug in your body. This can increase the chance of developing a dangerous buildup of acid in your blood.

What to do: Talk to your doctor about monitoring your blood sugar and checking for signs of too much metformin in your system.

moderate cimetidine

Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Mechanism: Cimetidine interferes with how the kidneys get rid of metformin, which can cause the drug to build up in your body. High levels of metformin increase the risk of a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.

What to do: Your healthcare provider may need to change your dose or watch your kidney health more carefully.

Diuretics Clinical Impact Coadministration of empagliflozin with diuretics resulted in increased urine volume and frequency of voids, which might enhance the potential for volume depletion.

Mechanism: Both of these medicines increase how much you urinate. This can cause your body to lose too much water and become dehydrated.

What to do: Drink plenty of fluids and watch for signs of dehydration like dizziness. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication doses.

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Common Questions

What should I do if I experience severe joint pain while taking Glyxambi?
Tell your doctor right away. Severe joint pain has been reported with linagliptin, one of the medicines in Glyxambi. Your doctor may have you stop taking Glyxambi.
Can Glyxambi cause low blood sugar?
Yes, especially if you are also taking insulin or a sulfonylurea. Your doctor may need to lower the dose of your other diabetes medicines.
Will Glyxambi cause me to lose weight?
Weight loss is not a common side effect, but it can happen in some people.
Can Glyxambi affect my kidneys?
Yes, Glyxambi can affect your kidneys. Your doctor will check your kidney function before you start taking Glyxambi and regularly while you are taking it.
Can Glyxambi cause a bladder infection?
Yes, Glyxambi can increase your risk of urinary tract infections.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Glyxambi?
Avoid drinking too much alcohol while taking Glyxambi, as it can increase your risk of lactic acidosis.
Does Glyxambi interact with other medications?
Yes, Glyxambi can interact with other medications. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Can Glyxambi cause heart failure?
Heart failure has been seen with similar drugs. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or risk factors for heart failure.
What are the symptoms of lactic acidosis?
Symptoms include feeling very weak, tired, or uncomfortable; unusual muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feeling cold, especially in your arms and legs; feeling dizzy or lightheaded; or a sudden change in your heartbeat.
Should I stop taking Glyxambi before a surgery or procedure?
Yes, you may need to stop Glyxambi before surgery or certain procedures. Talk to your doctor about this.
What are the common side effects of empagliflozin/linagliptin?
The most commonly reported side effects of empagliflozin/linagliptin include Upper respiratory infection (like a cold), Urinary tract infection, Runny or stuffy nose, Diarrhea, Constipation. Based on 876 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does empagliflozin/linagliptin interact with other medications?
Yes, empagliflozin/linagliptin has 11 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include metformin, dolutegravir, ranolazine. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is empagliflozin/linagliptin?
empagliflozin/linagliptin belongs to the SGLT2 / DPP-4 Combination drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Glyxambi is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Is empagliflozin/linagliptin safe during pregnancy?
Glyxambi is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to potential harm to the baby's kidneys. It is also not recommended while breastfeeding. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for empagliflozin/linagliptin

The FDA label for empagliflozin/linagliptin (sold under brand names such as Glyxambi) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the SGLT2 / DPP-4 Combination class. Glyxambi is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Upper respiratory infection (like a cold), Urinary tract infection, Runny or stuffy nose.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 876 voluntary reports. The database also lists 11 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: January 30, 2026

All federal data sources used on this page