Synjardy is a prescription medication containing empagliflozin and metformin, both of which work to lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in people with heart disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, as well as to lower the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, or hospitalization in people with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. While Synjardy is not primarily a weight-loss drug, some individuals may experience weight loss as a secondary benefit. This article explores the relationship between Synjardy and weight loss, how Synjardy works, its potential benefits, and important considerations.
What is Synjardy Used For?
Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In people who also have heart disease or heart failure, Synjardy is used to lower the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke and the risk for hospitalization from heart failure among people with this condition. Synjardy is also used to lower the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, hospitalization, and death from a heart attack or stroke in people who have type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes and may be used for other conditions as determined by a healthcare provider.
How Synjardy Works
Synjardy works in different ways to help keep your blood glucose (sugar) from getting too high. It decreases the amount of glucose your body absorbs from food and drinks, reduces the amount of glucose that your liver makes, and helps your body’s own insulin to work better. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose as a source of energy. Synjardy also helps your body get rid of sugar when you pee and lowers the risk of dying from heart problems and hospital admissions for heart failure by helping your body get rid of extra sugar, salt, and water.
Synjardy and Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes Management
Type 2 diabetes management often requires careful attention to blood sugar levels, medication, and lifestyle changes. Diet and exercise are essential, and medications like Synjardy can play a significant role in improving diabetes management. Synjardy, a combination of empagliflozin and metformin, helps control blood sugar and may also have a positive impact on weight loss.
The Role of Synjardy in Diabetes Management
Synjardy is commonly prescribed for individuals with Type 2 diabetes to help regulate blood sugar levels. It combines two active ingredients: empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide. Empagliflozin functions by blocking the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, allowing excess sugar to be excreted in the urine. Meanwhile, metformin enhances the body’s ability to use insulin more efficiently. This dual mechanism helps improve glucose control, making Synjardy an effective option for managing diabetes.
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In addition to regulating blood sugar, many patients have reported weight loss as a secondary benefit of Synjardy. While weight loss isn’t the primary purpose of the medication, it can play a vital role in improving insulin sensitivity and lowering the likelihood of diabetes-related complications.
How Synjardy Promotes Weight Loss
Synjardy’s potential for weight loss comes from the action of its two active ingredients. Metformin is known to have a modest weight-reducing effect by improving insulin sensitivity and lessening the liver’s production of glucose. However, it is empagliflozin, the SGLT2 inhibitor, that plays a more prominent role in weight loss.
Empagliflozin helps the kidneys excrete excess glucose through urine. This process leads to a loss of calories, which can contribute to weight loss. Moreover, because this medication works by reducing blood sugar levels, it helps manage insulin production, which in turn can minimize fat storage and promote fat burning.
Caloric Loss Through Glucose Excretion
One of the key ways Synjardy supports weight loss is through the increased excretion of glucose in the urine. By preventing glucose from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, excess glucose is expelled, which results in a loss of calories. For many patients, this caloric loss can contribute to gradual weight loss over time.
Appetite Regulation
Some studies suggest that empagliflozin, the SGLT2 inhibitor in Synjardy, may also help regulate appetite. By controlling blood sugar levels more effectively, it can prevent the spikes and crashes in glucose that contribute to hunger and cravings. This more stable blood sugar environment can make it easier for individuals to maintain a healthier diet, further supporting weight loss efforts.
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Impact of Weight Loss on Diabetes Management
For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, weight management is an essential component of controlling the condition. Excess weight, particularly abdominal fat, can elevate insulin resistance, making it challenging to regulate blood sugar levels. This can create a vicious cycle of rising blood sugar and difficulty losing weight. Synjardy’s potential for weight loss may help break this cycle.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity
By promoting weight loss, Synjardy can help improve insulin sensitivity. When you lose weight, especially in the abdominal area, your body becomes more responsive to insulin. This can result in more effective blood sugar control and a reduced need for insulin or other medications.
Lowered Risk of Complications
Carrying excess weight elevates the risk of developing complications related to diabetes, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and nerve damage. By supporting weight loss, Synjardy can help reduce the risk of these complications, leading to improved long-term health outcomes.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Synjardy for Weight Loss
While losing weight can have a positive effect on your diabetes journey, it’s essential to approach it as part of a broader lifestyle plan. Here are some tips for maximizing the benefits of Synjardy weight loss:
Follow a Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats can complement the effects of Synjardy. When managing Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to focus on foods that help stabilize blood sugar levels, such as fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
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Stay Active
Regular physical activity is another vital element of weight loss and overall diabetes management. Exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, control blood sugar levels, and burn excess calories. Aim for a mix of aerobic exercises (like walking, cycling, or swimming) and strength training (such as weight lifting or resistance exercises).
Regular Monitoring and Support
Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly is essential when taking Synjardy. This will help you assess how well the medication is working and ensure that your blood sugar stays within the target range. Additionally, working with a healthcare team-including a dietitian, diabetes educator, and exercise specialist-can provide personalized guidance to maximize Synjardy’s weight loss benefits and improve your overall diabetes management plan.
Possible Side Effects of Synjardy
While weight loss can be beneficial, it’s important to be aware of potential side reactions associated with the medication. Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea), urinary tract infections, or yeast infections. It’s important to discuss any side reactions with your healthcare provider, as they may recommend modifications to the medication or other treatments to address these concerns.
Additionally, Synjardy can cause dehydration in some individuals, which can be exacerbated by the increased urination caused by empagliflozin. Staying hydrated and monitoring your fluid intake is crucial when taking this medication. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common side effects. If any of these are severe or will not go away, call your health care provider right away.
Common Side Effects:
- Kidney or bladder infections
- Yeast infection of the vagina or penis
- Diarrhea
- Nausea/vomiting
- Gas
- Stomach pain, upset stomach
- Feeling unusually weak or tired
- Headache
Serious Side Effects:
- Severe Allergic Reactions
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Lactic Acidosis
- Dehydration
- Kidney Infection
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Necrotizing Fasciitis (Fournier’s Gangrene)
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Amputations
Warnings and Precautions
People with allergies to empagliflozin, Jardiance, metformin, Glumetza, Fortamet, any other medicine that contains metformin, or any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed should not take Synjardy. Synjardy should not be used if your liver or kidneys are not working as well as they should be, or in people with acute or chronic metabolic acidosis.
Before using Synjardy, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Synjardy may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Synjardy passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Synjardy Dosage and Forms
Synjardy is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth:
- 5 mg empagliflozin/500 mg metformin oral tablets
- 5 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin oral tablets
- 12.5 mg empagliflozin/500 mg metformin oral tablets
- 12.5 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin oral tablets
- 5 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin extended-release oral tablets
- 10 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin extended-release oral tablets
- 12.5 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin extended-release oral tablets
- 25 mg empagliflozin/1000 mg metformin extended-release oral tablets
Synjardy oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Interactions with Food and Alcohol
There are no known interactions between Synjardy and foods or drinks. Being on a low-salt diet while taking Synjardy may increase your risk of dehydration. Drinking too much alcohol while taking Synjardy may increase your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Synjardy versus Generic Metformin
While Synjardy contains metformin, it also contains the drug empagliflozin. Metformin works through many ways to lower your blood sugar level. Because Synjardy also contains empagliflozin, it works in more ways than metformin alone. Clinical studies have compared the two active drugs in Synjardy with metformin plus a placebo and with metformin alone.
Synjardy and Other Medications
Synjardy may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Synjardy, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Synjardy Side Effects Explained
- Lactic acidosis: Synjardy and Synjardy XR can cause a rare but serious side effect called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a life threatening medical emergency that needs to be treated in a hospital. It occurs because of a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. This can be caused by metformin, which is one of the active drugs in Synjardy.
- Fournier’s gangrene: Synjardy can also cause a rare but serious side effect called Fournier’s gangrene, which affects the tissue around the genital area. Symptoms of Fournier’s gangrene can include pain, skin discoloration, swelling, or tenderness near your genitals or rectum.
- Ketoacidosis: It’s possible to have ketoacidosis while you’re taking Synjardy. With ketoacidosis, you have an abnormally high level of ketones (a type of protein) in your body.
Synjardy and Weight Loss: Clinical Evidence
Synjardy is a brand-name prescription drug that’s FDA-approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Synjardy is a medication that’s used to help improve blood sugar levels in combination with healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s important to note that Synjardy isn’t meant to treat type 1 diabetes.
Synjardy contains two active drugs: metformin (Glucophage) and empagliflozin (Jardiance). Metformin belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides. And empagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These drugs work in slightly different ways to lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, empagliflozin helps lower the risk of death from a cardiovascular problem in people with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A clinical study compared the two active drugs in Synjardy (metformin and empagliflozin) with metformin plus a placebo. After 24 weeks of treatment, people taking empagliflozin plus metformin had their:
- hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level lowered by 0.7% to 0.8%. In comparison, the level was lowered by 0.1% in people taking metformin plus a placebo.
- fasting blood sugar level lowered by 20 mg/dL to 22 mg/dL. In comparison, the level was increased by 6 mg/dL in people taking metformin plus a placebo.
- body weight decreased by 2.5% to 2.9%. In comparison, body weight was decreased by 0.5% in people taking metformin plus a placebo.
The Benefits of Jardiance with Metformin
Yes, you may lose weight if you are taking metformin in combination with Jardiance. In a 24-week long clinical study with over 600 adults, Jardiance given as add-on therapy to metformin significantly improved weight loss. Weight loss was also significant in a study over 24-weeks long when Jardiance was used in combination with metformin and a sulfonylurea compared to placebo.
Jardiance can lead to moderate weight loss in adults when taken alone or when combined with other medications, including metformin or a sulfonylurea. Overall, you may lose 2% to 3% of your weight on average, although this is variable and can be affected by many factors, such as diet and exercise.
Conclusions
Synjardy weight loss can be a helpful tool in managing Type 2 diabetes, as it not only aids in blood sugar control but also supports weight loss, which is crucial for improving insulin sensitivity and minimizing the risk of complications. The combination of empagliflozin and metformin works together to promote calorie loss through glucose excretion and regulate appetite, contributing to gradual weight loss. However, to maximize these benefits, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and ongoing monitoring are essential.
If you are considering Synjardy as part of your diabetes treatment plan, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s the right option for you. While weight loss can improve your overall diabetes management, it should be part of a comprehensive approach that encompasses lifestyle changes and regular health check-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Synjardy cause significant weight loss?
While Synjardy can support modest weight loss by promoting the excretion of glucose through urine, the amount of weight loss varies from person to person. A healthy diet and exercise routine can further enhance these effects.
How long does it take to see weight loss from Synjardy?
Weight loss may occur gradually over time, with noticeable effects often taking several weeks or months. However, results can vary according to factors like diet, exercise, and individual response to the medication.
Are there any side effects related to weight loss with Synjardy?
Some people may experience side effects such as nausea, urinary tract infections, or dehydration.
Can Jardiance help patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight?
Yes, Jardiance can help patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight, but this is not an approved use. In clinical trials, Jardiance also led to statistically significant reductions in A1C and fasting plasma glucose, measures of blood sugar control, when compared to an inactive placebo.
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