Side Effects
A Common side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors including Steglatro is frequent urination which can lead to dehydration. Likewise, dehydration may lead to orthostatic hypotension – a sudden drop in blood pressure on standing. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness or fainting. You may be at risk for dehydration if you have low blood pressure; take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics); have kidney problems; are on a low sodium (salt) diet, or are 65 years of age or older.
Men and women taking Steglatro also have an increased risk for yeast infections and urinary tract infections – although women experience infection at a higher rate. As glucose leaves the body through urine, it increases bacterial growth which can lead to genital infection.
Steglatro may cause ketoacidosis, a potentially dangerous condition usually seen only with very high blood glucose levels. However, ketoacidosis has been reported to occur with only mild or moderately increased glucose in people taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Symptoms of ketoacidosis are nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, tiredness and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking Steglatro and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment. If possible, check for ketones in your urine if you have symptoms, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dl.
You should not take Steglatro if you have severe liver or kidney disease or you are on dialysis.
A positive side effect of Steglatro is weight loss. Glucose is a source of calories. As your kidneys eliminate glucose through urine, you are losing calories at the same time, which may lead to weight loss.
Meal Planning Consideration
The recommended starting dose of Steglatro is 5 mg once daily, taken in the morning, with or without food.
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet and exercise regularly. Also, follow your doctor’s instructions about proper hygiene and drinking enough fluids throughout the day while you are on Steglatro.
Dietitians and diabetes educators play a significant role in educating patients about when and how to take their diabetes medications. They also provide guidance on how to prevent or minimize adverse effects of medications. Click here to find a diabetes educator in your area.
Constance Brown-Riggs, MSED, RD, CDE, CDN is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker and author of The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes. Her new book “Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World” will be released in January 2018. She is a spokesperson for OneTouch.