Empagliflozin sick day plan

Empagliflozin is increasingly used in patients with heart failure, with or without diabetes.

Pharmac criteria for Empagliflozin for heart failure is in short include

  • Heart failure - NYHA II, III, IV

  • On optimal standard HF treatment

  • Echo - LVEF <= 40%; or if not practical

Ketoacidosis risk is real, however, and sick day plan may be useful

  • Sick day plan trigger =

    • feel unwell (e.g. fever or stomach bug)

    • cannot eat or drink normally

  • Sick day plan =

    • Stop taking Empagliflozin

    • Watch for sign of dehydration

    • Restart after feeling better and eating/drinking normally for 2 days

We have a role in communicating such plan to patients on Empagliflozin, and is unique to the standard mix of heart failure patients.