Ertugliflozin belongs to the class of medications known as oral antihyperglycemic agents. Specifically, it is in the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It is used alone and in combination with other medications for the control of blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. 

This medication should be used as part of an overall diabetes management plan that includes a diet and exercise program. Ertugliflozin works by increasing the amount of glucose being removed from the body by the kidneys, which decreases the amount of sugar in the blood.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended starting dose of ertugliflozin is 5 mg taken by mouth, once daily, in the morning. It may be taken with or without food. If your blood sugar level doesn't decrease enough, and additional glucose control is needed, your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 15 mg taken once daily.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to ertugliflozin or any ingredients of this medication
• have severely reduced kidney function, end stage kidney disease, or are receiving dialysis

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• headache
• thirst

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• low blood pressure (e.g., dizziness when standing, fainting, lightheadedness)
• redness or rash of the penis or foreskin (yeast infection)
• signs of dehydration (e.g., decreased urine, dry skin, dry and sticky mouth, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, thirst, confusion)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine, painful or difficult urination)
• skin ulcers or sores
• symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, weakness, blurred vision)
• symptoms of a kidney infection (e.g., painful, frequent or urgent need to urinate, fever or chills, cloudy or foul smelling urine, blood in the urine)
• symptoms of vaginal yeast infection (women; e.g., vaginal odour, curd-like discharge, itching)
• symptoms of yeast infection of the penis (men; e.g., lumpy, odorous discharge under foreskin; red, swollen, itchy head of the penis; pain when urinating or during sexual activity)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (e.g., difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, confusion, extreme thirst, and unusual tiredness)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of a severe infection that has spread throughout the body (sepsis; fever, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, pain or difficult urination)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Amputation: There may be an increased risk for lower leg or toe amputations in people taking this medication. Good foot care is very important for people with diabetes. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of leg pain, poor circulation, bluish, cold skin, and poor hair or toenail growth.

Dehydration: Ertugliflozin may cause an increased amount of fluid to be removed from the body, resulting in dehydration. Dehydration can cause decreased blood pressure and also contribute to heart problems. Certain other medications, such as diuretics (water pills) can cause dehydration. If you experience symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, decreased urine or tear production, dizziness or headaches, contact your doctor.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Ertugliflozin has been associated with DKA. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body does not have enough insulin to use the glucose in the bloodstream. When this happens, the body starts to burn ketones for fuel instead, which can make the blood acidic. This condition is more likely to develop if you are following a very low carbohydrate diet, are dehydrated, or have consumed a large amount of alcohol. Symptoms of DKA include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, and unusual fatigue or sleepiness. If you experience these symptoms, get immediate medical help.

Dizziness: Some people taking ertugliflozin may experience decreases in blood pressure. This occurs because the medication causes an increased amount of fluid to be removed from the body through the kidneys. These blood pressure drops could lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and falls. This may occur when you shift your body position, such as rising from a sitting or lying position. If you experience this problem, try getting up more slowly. If it persists or if you faint, contact your doctor.

Glucose control: When ertugliflozin is taken along with other medications for diabetes, glucose levels may drop too far, causing confusion, cold sweats, cool and pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, or weakness. Your doctor may suggest decreasing the dose of your other medications when you first start taking ertugliflozin. If you take other medications for diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Ertugliflozin may cause a decrease in kidney function. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Urinary Tract Infections: Ertugliflozin has been associated with urinary tract infections, including kidney infections and blood infections caused by bacteria spreading from the urinary tract. If you experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as a burning feeling when you urinate, pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen, cloudy, dark, bloody or strange-smelling urine, or fever or chills, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Yeast infections: There is an increased risk of developing genital or vaginal yeast infections when taking ertugliflozin as a result of increased glucose in the urine. This is more likely to occur for uncircumcised males and for people who have a history of yeast infections.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if ertugliflozin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. It is recommended that women do not breast-feed if they are taking this medication.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Seniors: People over the age of 65 are more likely to experience side effects of taking ertugliflozin. Doses for seniors should generally be lower and increase more slowly than for other adults.

There may be an interaction between ertugliflozin and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
• atypical antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
• blood pressure medications
• corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone)
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glyburide, metformin, rosiglitazone)
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• disopyramide
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• glucagon
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• insulin
• lanreotide
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
• niacin
• nilotinib
• octreotide
• pasireotide
• pentamidine
• progestins (e.g., dienogest, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone)
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
• sirolimus
• somatostatin acetate
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• sunitinib
• tacrolimus
• testosterone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.