Synjardy side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of Synjardy oral tablets. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Synjardy, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Synjardy is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet as well as an extended-release (ER) oral tablet called Synjardy XR. ER tablets allow a medication to be absorbed at a slower rate, which can help decrease certain side effects. Synjardy and Synjardy XR aren’t available as a generic version. This article describes the possible side effects of Synjardy and Synjardy XR

Synjardy oral tablets have a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

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More common side effects of Synjardy

Synjardy oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Synjardy include:

• diarrhea
• gas
• indigestion
• low vitamin B12 levels*
• nausea or vomiting

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Synjardy

Synjardy may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Synjardy oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• diarrhea
• gas
• genital yeast infections
• headache
• indigestion
• nausea or vomiting
• low vitamin B12 levels*
• stomach discomfort or upset
• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• weakness

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

Synjardy oral tablets may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Synjardy

Synjardy may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Synjardy oral tablets, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Synjardy.

Serious side effects of Synjardy oral tablets that occurred in studies include:

• dehydration
• diabetic ketoacidosis*
• Fournier’s gangrene (a rare but very serious bacterial infection of the area between the genitals and anus)
• increased risk of lower limb amputations
• kidney infections and other serious UTIs
• lactic acidosis*†
• low blood sugar

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.
† Synjardy oral tablets have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

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Allergic reaction

For some people, Synjardy oral tablets can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Synjardy oral tablets, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of Synjardy

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Synjardy oral tablets. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is weight loss a side effect of Synjardy?

Yes, weight loss is a possible side effect of Synjardy oral tablets. It was commonly reported in studies of people taking the drug. This may be an added benefit for people with diabetes who are taking Synjardy to help manage their blood sugar. But Synjardy isn’t approved for weight loss or for treating obesity.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about weight loss while taking Synjardy.

Is hair loss a side effect of Synjardy?

No, hair loss isn’t an expected side effect of Synjardy oral tablets. It wasn’t reported in studies of people taking the drug. But Synjardy can cause low vitamin B12 levels, which may contribute to hair loss. You can read more about low vitamin B12 levels in the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

Hair loss can also be a symptom of diabetes. Since Synjardy treats diabetes, you should tell your doctor if you’re having hair loss while taking Synjardy. It might be a sign that your blood sugar level needs more management. Your doctor can determine the most likely cause of hair loss and recommend ways to manage it.

What are the long-term side effects of Synjardy?

In some cases, Synjardy may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Synjardy oral tablets include low levels of vitamin B12. You can read more about this side effect in the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the long-term side effects of Synjardy and how to manage them.

How long does Synjardy stay in your system?

On average, it takes about 4 days for your body to clear Synjardy from your system. This time can vary depending on several factors, including:

• your age
• your body mass
• your kidney function
• how fast your body metabolizes (processes) drugs
• your dose of Synjardy
• how long you’ve taken Syndjardy

If you’re having side effects and your doctor has you stop taking Synjardy, you should start to feel better within a few days. Tell your doctor if side effects last longer than that. Do not stop taking Synjardy without talking with your doctor first.

Side effects of Synjardy in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Synjardy oral tablets.

Lactic acidosis

Synjardy has a boxed warning for lactic acidosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

In studies, lactic acidosis was rare in people taking Synjardy oral tablets. This side effect may be serious and can be fatal. Lactic acidosis is a side effect of metformin (one of the active ingredients in Synjardy).

With lactic acidosis, lactic acid builds up in the blood. High levels of lactic acid can make your body too acidic. This can cause serious problems that can lead to death.

Symptoms of lactic acidosis can include:

• cold hands or feet
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting
• shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• slow heart rate
• unusual muscle pain
• unusual sleepiness or tiredness
• weakness

Certain factors can increase the risk of lactic acidosis with Synjardy oral tablet. These include:

• being age 65 years or older
• being dehydrated
• drinking large amounts of alcohol
• having heart failure or severe infections
• having kidney or liver disease
• having surgery or other procedures that restrict food or fluid intake
• taking certain drugs or X-ray dyes

Ways to manage

Tell your doctor if you have any conditions listed above before taking Synjardy. Tell your doctor you take Synjardy before having X-rays, surgery, or other procedures. They may need you to stop Synjardy for a period of time.

Get emergency medical care if you have any symptoms of lactic acidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has been reported in people taking empagliflozin (one of the active ingredients in Synjardy oral tablets). This side effect may be serious and life threatening.

With DKA, you have a buildup of ketones in your blood or urine. Your body makes ketones when it breaks down fat to use for energy. Your body uses fat for energy when it doesn’t have enough insulin to use sugar for energy. Taking empagliflozin or a drug like Synjardy (where empagliflozin is an active ingredient) increases the risk of this happening.

Symptoms of DKA may include:

• belly pain
• breath that smells fruity
• excessive thirst
• nausea or vomiting
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness

Certain factors can raise the risk of DKA with Synjardy oral tablet. These include:

• being dehydrated
• being sick or having a fever
• drinking large amounts of alcohol
• eating a high fat, low carb diet
• having a history of pancreas problems
• having surgery
• skipping meals or not being able to eat or drink as usual

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of DKA, tell your doctor and get emergency medical care. DKA can be fatal.

Low vitamin B12 levels

In studies, low vitamin B12 levels were common in people taking Synjardy oral tablets. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in some cases. Low vitamin B12 level is a side effect of metformin (one of the active ingredients in Synjardy oral tablet).

Taking Synjardy for a long time may lower the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. In some people, this may cause anemia (low red blood cells). Symptoms of anemia may include:

• dizziness
• feeling cold
• shortness of breath
• tiredness or weakness

Having low vitamin B12 levels in the past can increase the risk of this side effect with Synjardy oral tablets.

Ways to manage

Due to this risk, your doctor may check your vitamin B12 levels while you’re taking Synjardy. If you experience symptoms of anemia, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and recommend ways to manage it.

Warnings for Synjardy

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Synjardy oral tablets.

Boxed warning

Synjardy oral tablets have a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

For details, see the “Side effects of Synjardy in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Synjardy oral tablets if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Synjardy oral tablets are a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Synjardy oral tablets, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• alcohol use
• dehydration
• dietary changes
• eating or drinking less than usual
• heart problems
• history of amputation
• history of diabetic ketoacidosis or metabolic acidosis
• history of genital yeast infections
• history of low vitamin B12 levels
• history of urinary tract infections
• insulin use
• irregular menstrual periods
• kidney problems
• liver disease
• low sodium diet
• problems with your pancreas
• serious infections
• type 1 diabetes
• upcoming surgery, X-ray, or other procedure
• past allergic reaction to Synjardy

Synjardy and pregnancy

Synjardy oral tablets should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Synjardy.

Synjardy and breastfeeding

Synjardy oral tablets should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Synjardy.

Synjardy and alcohol

Synjardy oral tablets are known to interact with alcohol.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking Synjardy increases the risk of serious side effects. This includes lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and low blood sugar. These side effects can be fatal. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of dehydration. Dehydration is a risk factor for both lactic acidosis and DKA.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how to avoid it during your treatment with Synjardy oral tablets.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.