Steglatro

Steglatro is a prescription medication used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. 

Steglatro belongs to a group of drugs called sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These work to lower blood sugar by stopping the reabsorption of sugar by the kidney and causing the kidneys to get rid of more sugar in the urine. 

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once daily in the morning, with or without food.

A common side effect of Steglatro is yeast infections in the genital area.

Steglatro is a prescription medication used with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. 

Steglatro is not to be used to treat type 1 diabetes and those with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Steglatro. See the “Steglatro Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Steglatro include the following:

• yeast infection in the genital area
• urinary tract infection
• headache
• vaginal itching
• increased urination
• cold
• back pain
• decreased weight
• increased thirst

This is not a complete list of Steglatro side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take insulin or medications that help your pancreas to produce insulin such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), repaglinide (Prandin), and nateglinide (Starlix). 

When these medications are used with Steglatro, there is a higher risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

This is not a complete list of Steglatro drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Steglatro including the following:

• dehydration. You may cause you to feel dizzy, weak or like you are going to faint. This can happen especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure, take medicines to lower your blood pressure, are on a low salt diet, or are 65 years of age or older. 
• ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine). Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, generalized feeling bad, and shortness of breath.
• kidney problems. Your healthcare provider will monitor your kidney function.
• serious urinary tract infections that can go into the blood or damage the kidney. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection including burning while urinating, a feeling of having to urinate often, pain in the lower part of the stomach, or blood in the urine.
• amputation. This medication can increase the risk of a lower limb amputation. Tell your healthcare provider if you have signs of ulcers (sores) or infections such as redness, swelling, and warmth on the lower limb.
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Tell your healthcare provider if you have signs of low blood sugar including hunger, shakiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty speaking, and feeling anxious or weak.
• increased cholesterol level. Your healthcare provider will monitor for this.
• vaginal yeast infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection including vaginal odor, vaginal itching, or white or yellowish vaginal discharge that may be lumpy.
• yeast infection of the penis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of yeast infection of the penis including redness, itching, swelling, rash, pain, and bad smelling discharge from the penis.

When your body is under some types of stress, such as fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, the amount of diabetes medicine you need may change. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these conditions and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not take Steglatro if you:

• are allergic to Steglatro or to any of its ingredients
• have severe renal (or kidney) impairment, have end-stage renal disease, or on dialysis

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Steglatro, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Steglatro, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Steglatro or to any of its ingredients
• have kidney problems
• have liver problems
• have type 1 diabetes or have had diabetic ketoacidosis
• have or have had pancreas problems
• have a history of urinary tract infections or problems with urinating
• are eating less
• have had an amputation
• have neuropathy or nerve problems in the legs
• have had blocked or narrowed blood vessels
• have diabetic foot ulcers or sores
• are planning on having surgery
• drink alcohol
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. There is limited data with the use of Steglatro in pregnant women. Based on animal data, it is not recommended to use Steglatro during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Steglatro has been detected in the milk of lactating rats. There is no information regarding the presence of Steglatro in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Steglatro, it is not recommended to use Steglatro while breastfeeding.

Take Steglatro exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once daily, in the morning, with or without food.

Your doctor may tell you to take this medication along with other diabetes medicines. Low blood sugar can happen more often when this medication is taken with certain other diabetes medicines.

Stay on your prescribed diet and exercise program while taking this medication.

Be sure to check your blood sugar as your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor will check your diabetes with regular blood tests, including your blood sugar levels and your HbA1c.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Steglatro at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended starting dose of Steglatro (ertugliflozin) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is 5 mg once daily in the morning. The maximum dose is 15 mg.

If you take too much Steglatro, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store Steglatro tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep Steglatro dry.
• Store Steglatro blister packs in the original package.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.