Drug interactions
Empagliflozin-metformin + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Empagliflozin-metformin and Lithium: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
SGLT2 inhibitors may lower serum lithium concentrations, risking loss of mood stabilization. Volume changes and altered renal handling are implicated, though the effect is not fully characterized.
What this interaction means in plain words
Empagliflozin-metformin and Lithium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Empagliflozin-metformin belongs to Endocrine; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Probable altered renal lithium clearance from SGLT2 inhibitor-induced natriuresis and volume shifts; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Check serum lithium more frequently when starting, stopping, or changing the dose of empagliflozin. Adjust the lithium dose based on levels and clinical response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Empagliflozin-metformin
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Empagliflozin-metformin with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Empagliflozin-metformin and Lithium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. SGLT2 inhibitors may lower serum lithium concentrations, risking loss of mood stabilization. Volume changes and altered renal handling are implicated, though the effect is not fully characterized.
How serious is the interaction between Empagliflozin-metformin and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum lithium more frequently when starting, stopping, or changing the dose of empagliflozin. Adjust the lithium dose based on levels and clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Empagliflozin-metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Empagliflozin-metformin with, for example, Contrast media, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate, Diatrizoate. The full list is on the Empagliflozin-metformin page.
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