Drug interactions
Empagliflozin-metformin + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Empagliflozin-metformin and Phenytoin: 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
Phenytoin can impair insulin secretion and raise blood glucose, which may reduce the effectiveness of metformin and empagliflozin. Glucose control may worsen after phenytoin is started and improve after it is withdrawn.
What this interaction means in plain words
Empagliflozin-metformin and Phenytoin 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; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin inhibits pancreatic insulin release, opposing the glucose-lowering effects of the antidiabetic agents.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting or stopping phenytoin and adjust antidiabetic therapy as needed. Watch for hypoglycemia after phenytoin withdrawal.
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 Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Empagliflozin-metformin with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Empagliflozin-metformin and Phenytoin 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. Phenytoin can impair insulin secretion and raise blood glucose, which may reduce the effectiveness of metformin and empagliflozin. Glucose control may worsen after phenytoin is started and improve after it is withdrawn.
How serious is the interaction between Empagliflozin-metformin and Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting or stopping phenytoin and adjust antidiabetic therapy as needed. Watch for hypoglycemia after phenytoin withdrawal.
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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