Synjardy®

What is Synjardy?

Synjardy is a dual action treatment used to lower your blood sugar when you have type-2 diabetes. Its two active ingredients, empagliflozin and metformin, have complementary methods of action to increase your insulin secretion as well as your cells’ insulin sensitivity.

Type-2 diabetes is a condition that you usually develop in adulthood as a result of a range of factors, such as your genetics and your lifestyle. It’s characterised by high concentrations of glucose in your bloodstream (hyperglycaemia) due to your pancreas not producing enough insulin, or your body not using the insulin it does produce correctly (which is called insulin resistance).

Diabetes can sometimes be controlled or avoided by making lifestyle adjustments or by just taking metformin on its own. Synjardy is typically only prescribed when metformin on its own (monotherapy) hasn’t worked to keep your blood sugar levels down.

How does Synjardy work?

Synjardy contains two active ingredients, both of which work in different ways to help lower your blood sugar.

Empagliflozin is what’s known as an SGLT-2 inhibitor. SGLT-2 inhibitors work by blocking the action of the SGLT-2 protein in your kidneys. This protein is responsible for preventing the glucose in your bloodstream from being passed into your urine. By blocking the action of this protein, more of the glucose in your bloodstream is excreted via urine, and so reduces your blood sugar levels.^[1]

Metformin is one of the most widely used treatments for diabetes, and it works in three ways to reduce your blood sugar: by making your cells more sensitive to insulin, stopping your liver from making glucose and delaying glucose absorption in your gut.^[2][3]

Like other type-2 diabetes treatments, Synjardy works best alongside a healthy diet and exercise.

What doses of Synjardy are there?

Synjardy is available in four different doses:

(empagliflozin/ metformin)

• 5 mg/850 mg
• 5 mg/1,000 mg
• 12.5 mg/850 mg
• 12.5 mg/1,000 mg

The dose that you’re prescribed will depend on your health needs, condition and any other treatments you’re already taking.

How to take Synjardy

You should always follow the advice of our clinician when taking Synjardy.

To take it:

• swallow the tablet whole with water
• take it with food to lower the chance of you getting an upset stomach
• take it twice a day

How long does it take Synjardy to work?

Synjardy should start to get to work to lower your blood sugar within a few days of taking it, but it can take a few weeks before you start to see any change in your HbA1c (the test of your average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months).

If you don’t get many symptoms from your diabetes, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel much different from taking Synjardy, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not working to improve your health. It’s important that you continue your treatment to lower your risk of developing any long-term complications.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Synjardy?

If you accidentally take too much Synjardy and notice any adverse effects, you should seek medical help straight away. Taking too much Synjardy can lead to lactic acidosis, which can be very bad for your health.

If you forget to take your dose of Synjardy, you should take it as soon as you remember. If you don’t remember until it’s time for your next dose, skip it and continue as normal – don’t double the dose to make up for the missed one.