Ertugliflozin / Metformin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 4, 2025.

Applies to ertugliflozin / metformin: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

Death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias have been reported due to metformin-associated lactic acidosis.

Onset may be subtle and include nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgia, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal distress; laboratory abnormalities include low pH, increased anion gap and elevated blood lactate.

The risk of lactic acidosis increases with renal or hepatic impairment, aged 65 years or older, having a radiological study with contrast, surgery, or other procedures, hypoxic states, and excessive alcohol intake.

If lactic acidosis is suspected, ertugliflozin and metformin hydrochloride should be discontinued, supportive measures started in a hospital setting.

Prompt hemodialysis is recommended.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, ertugliflozin / metformin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ertugliflozin / metformin:

More common side effects

• anxiety
• blurred vision
• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• depression
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• increased hunger
• itching of the vagina or outside of the genitals
• loss of consciousness
• nausea
• seizures
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor

Less common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• discharge with a strong odor from the penis
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fainting
• frequent urge to urinate
• increase in heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• pain in the skin around the penis
• rapid breathing
• redness, itching, or swelling of the penis
• sunken eyes
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• vomiting
• weight gain

Rare side effects

• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• stomach pain
• unexplained weight loss

Incidence not known

• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• fainting spells
• fever
• irregular heartbeat
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the area between the anus and genitals
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of ertugliflozin / metformin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• diarrhea
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowel
• feeling of fullness
• heartburn
• lack or loss of strength
• passing gas

Less common side effects

• back pain
• decreased weight
• stuffy or runny nose

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ertugliflozin / metformin: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse events with ertugliflozin have included genital mycotic infections, more common in females, but also occurring in males; the most commonly reported adverse events with metformin have included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, indigestion, asthenia, and headache.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Ertugliflozin:

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia (in combination with insulin and/or insulin secretagogue in patients with moderate renal impairment; up to 27%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight, hypoglycemia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Ketoacidosis
• Frequency not reported: Increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increased serum phosphate

Metformin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Lactic acidosis

Ketoacidosis was reported in 3 of 3409 (0.1%) patients treated with this drug during clinical trials; no cases were identified in comparator-treated patients. Mean increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) relative to placebo were 2.6% and 5.4%, in the 5 mg and 15 mg groups, respectively

Genitourinary

Ertugliflozin:

• Very common (10% or more): Female genital mycotic infections (up to 12.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Male genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, vaginal pruritus, increased urination
• Frequency not reported: Pyelonephritis

SGLT2 Inhibitors:

• Postmarketing reports: Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis, Fournier's gangrene^[Ref]

Female genital mycotic infections include genital candidiasis, genital infection fungal, vaginal infection, vulvitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal mycotic infection, and vulvovaginitis. Male genital mycotic infections balanitis candida, balanoposthitis, genital infection, and genital infection fungal. Urinary tract infections include cystitis, dysuria, streptococcal urinary tract infection, urethritis, urinary tract infection. Vaginal pruritus includes vulvovaginal pruritus and pruritus genital. Increased urination includes pollakiuria, micturition urgency, polyuria, urine output increased, and nocturia.

In the 5 years (2013 to 2018) since SGLT2 inhibitor approval, 12 cases of Fournier's gangrene have been reported. Reports were almost equal in men and women (men=7; women=5), ages ranged from 38 to 78 years, and the average time to onset after starting an SGLT2 inhibitor was 9.2 months (range 7 days to 25 months). All SGLT2 inhibitor drugs except ertugliflozin were included in the reports. Ertugliflozin being the most recently approved agent, is expected to have the same risk, but insufficient patient use to assess risk. All patients were hospitalized, all required surgery, all required surgical debridement, 5 required more than 1 surgery and 1 required skin grafting. Four cases were complicated by diabetic ketoacidosis, acute kidney injury, and septic shock, leading to prolonged hospitalization, and death in 1 case. In the general population, Fournier's gangrene occurs in about 1.6 out of 100,000 males annually, with the highest incidence in men 50 to 79 years. Since diabetes is a risk factor for Fournier's gangrene, a review of the FAERS database for the last 34 years was done and only 6 cases (all males, median age 57 years) were found with several other classes of antidiabetic drugs. Findings with SGLT2 inhibitors appear to show an association over a shorter time frame and involve both males and females.^[Ref]

Renal

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal related adverse reactions
• Frequency not reported: Increased serum creatinine, decreased eGFR

SGLT2 Inhibitors:

• Postmarketing reports: Acute Kidney Injury

Renal related adverse reactions included acute kidney injury, renal impairment, acute prerenal failure. The incidence of renal related adverse reactions was 0.6%, 2.5%, and 1.3% in patients receiving placebo, 5 mg, and 15 mg, respectively.

Gastrointestinal

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Thirst

Metformin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, indigestion

Thirst includes thirst, dry mouth, polydipsia, and dry throat.

Hepatic

Ertugliflozin:

• Frequency not reported: Increased serum phosphate

Cardiovascular

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Adverse reactions related to volume depletion

Adverse reactions related to volume depletion include dehydration, dizziness, postural, presyncope, syncope, hypotension, and orthostatic hypotension.

Musculoskeletal

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nontraumatic lower limb amputation

Nontraumatic lower limb amputation was reported in 3 (0.2%) patients receiving 5 mg and 8 patients (0.5%) receiving 15 mg; there was 1 report (0.1%) in the comparator group. A causal association between this drug and lower limb amputation has not been definitively established.

Hematologic

Ertugliflozin:

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hemoglobin increased greater than 2 g/dL and above the upper limit of normal

Metformin:

• Frequency not reported: Vitamin B12 deficiency

Respiratory

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis

Other

Metformin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia

Nervous system

Ertugliflozin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Metformin:

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Further information

Ertugliflozin/metformin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer