Steglatro
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is an oral medication that helps lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the drug class called sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is a tablet you take once a day. But it works best when you also follow a balanced diet and regular exercise plan. Common side effects include yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Currently, Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is a brand-name medication only; there's no generic version yet.
What is Steglatro (ertugliflozin)?
What is Steglatro (ertugliflozin) used for?
How Steglatro (ertugliflozin) works
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, or SGLT2 inhibitor for short. It blocks the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys. This stops sugar from absorbing back into your blood and instead makes the sugar go into your urine. This helps get rid of extra sugar in your blood and lower your blood sugar.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Steglatro (ertugliflozin)?
Common Side Effects
- Yeast infections in females (9-12%)
- Yeast infections in males (4%)
- Urinary tract infections (4%)
- Headache (3-4%)
Other Side Effects
- Vaginal itching
- Urinating more than usual
- Common cold symptoms
- Back pain
- Thirst
- Weight loss
- Low blood sugar
- Higher cholesterol levels
Serious Side Effects
- Ketoacidosis (buildup of ketones): severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, fruity breath
- Serious genital infection: fever or discomfort along with pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital area
- Sudden kidney problems: not urinating as much or at all, swelling in the legs or feet, nausea, tiredness, shortness of breath
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dehydration—increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)—increased thirst or amount of urine, dry mouth, fatigue, fruity odor to breath, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
- Genital yeast infection—redness, swelling, pain, or itchiness, odor, thick or lumpy discharge
- Infection or redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain in the genitals, or area from the genitals to the back of the rectum
- New pain or tenderness, change in skin color, sores or ulcers, infection of the leg or foot
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)—burning when passing urine, passing frequent small amounts of urine, bloody or cloudy urine, pain in the lower back or sides
Pros and cons of Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
Pros
Only need to take once a day
Can take with or without meals
Cons
Might raise the risk of yeast infections
Not recommended for people with Type 1 diabetes or those with severe kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
Take Steglatro (ertugliflozin) once a day in the morning. Try to take it around the same time each day. Making it a part of your everyday routine can help you remember to take the medication.
You can take Steglatro (ertugliflozin) with or without food. Food doesn't affect how the medication works.
Drink plenty of fluids while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). This helps lower the risk of having low blood pressure and getting dehydrated. Sit or lie down and let your care team know if you feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak.
Talk to your prescriber about what to do if you get sick or can't eat or drink for some time (like if you're fasting) while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). These things can make you more likely to have a serious problem called ketoacidosis.
Tell your prescriber about any planned surgeries or procedures that you need to fast for. Also, let your surgery team know you're taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). They'll tell you when to stop taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin) before your procedure and when you can start taking it again. This helps lower your chances of getting ketoacidosis.
It's important to check your feet often for any new pain, sores, or signs of infection while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Tell your care team if you notice anything strange so they can help manage these problems. Catching these problems early helps stop them from getting worse. It also helps lower your risk of needing part of your foot removed.
Don't ignore any signs of urinary or genital infections while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Get medical help if you have a fever, feel pain when you urinate, or see blood in your urine. Also call for help if you have itching, pain, soreness, or swelling in the genital area. The care team can help treat these problems.
Work with your diabetes care team to come up with a balanced meal and exercise plan. Follow a diabetes-friendly diet and get regular exercise while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). This helps your diabetes treatment plan work as best as it can for you.
Tell your prescriber right away if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Also let them know if you plan to breastfeed while taking this medication. Steglatro (ertugliflozin) might harm your baby. Your prescriber can help you find safer ways to manage your diabetes.
Frequently asked questions about Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
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What are the risks and warnings for Steglatro (ertugliflozin)?
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Ketoacidosis
Risk factors: Taking high doses | Lowering your insulin dose or missing insulin doses | Sudden fever | Lower calorie intake | Ketogenic (keto) diet | Surgery | Dehydration | Pancreatic problems | Alcohol use disorder
Some people who take SGLT2 inhibitors like Steglatro (ertugliflozin) have had ketoacidosis. This happens when your body makes too many ketones for energy. When there are too many ketones, your blood becomes too acidic, which can be dangerous. Your risk is higher if you're sick, not eating much, drinking a lot of alcohol, or just had surgery.
If you have signs of ketoacidosis, stop taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin) and get medical help right away. Look for signs of severe dehydration (like feeling very thirsty or having a very dry mouth). Other signs include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, and shortness of breath.
Low fluids in the body (leading to risk of low blood pressure or sudden kidney problems)
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Older adults | Low blood pressure | Taking diuretics (water pills)
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) can cause your body to lose too much fluid. This can lead to low blood pressure. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or tired, sit or lie down and tell your care team. These can be signs of having low blood pressure.
Losing too much fluid while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin) can also cause sudden kidney problems in some people. Your prescriber might check your kidneys with blood tests before and during treatment. This helps make sure your kidneys are okay. Call your care team right away if you're not urinating as much, have swelling in the legs, or feel short of breath. These could be signs of kidney problems.
Serious genital infections and urinary tract infections
Risk factors: History of urinary tract infections | History of genital yeast infections | People who are uncircumcised
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) can make you more likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs). It can also make you more likely to get a genital infection like a yeast infection. And rarely, some people have gotten a very serious and dangerous infection in the genital area called Fournier's gangrene.
Get help from a healthcare professional if you have a fever, pain or burning when you urinate, need to urinate often, or see blood in your urine. These could be signs of a UTI. Also call a healthcare professional if you think you have a genital infection. Watch for signs like fever and itching, pain, soreness, redness, or swelling in that area. You might need to stop taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin) so your care team can help treat the problem.
Leg and foot amputations
Risk factors: History of amputation | Lower limb infection | Diabetic foot ulcers | Peripheral arterial disease (narrowed blood vessels) | Other blood circulation problems | Male | High A1C | Taking diuretics (water pills) or insulin
Although rare, Steglatro (ertugliflozin) might raise some people's risk of needing an amputation in the lower legs. In studies, this was most commonly a toe or foot. People were more likely to have had a higher A1C from the start, an amputation in the past, or diabetic foot ulcer. The most common reasons for amputation were leg infections and foot ulcers.
Pay extra attention to your legs and feet while taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Also, remember to visit your care team regularly for foot exams.
Tell your care team if you have any new pain, tenderness, sores, infections, or ulcers on your legs or feet. If this happens, you might need to stop taking Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Your care team can help you manage these foot problems or treat them before they get worse.
Low blood sugar when taken with certain diabetes medications
Risk factors: Using insulin | Taking sulfonylureas or glinides
Your blood sugar can go too low if you take with certain diabetes medications. Insulin is a common example. But a few other ones include sulfonylureas like glipizide and glinides like repaglinide. Your prescriber might lower the dose of these medications to prevent your blood sugar from going too low.
Still, make sure you know how to tell if your blood sugar is low. Watch for signs like feeling hungry, shaky, irritated, weak, dizzy, or confused. You might also sweat a lot or have a fast heartbeat. Take fast-acting sugars to get your sugars back up and let your prescriber know.
Steglatro (ertugliflozin) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth once daily in the morning, with or without food.
Your prescriber might raise your dose depending on how you respond to the medication. The maximum dose is 15 mg once daily.
How much does Steglatro (ertugliflozin) cost?
What are alternatives to Steglatro (ertugliflozin)?
Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older
Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure
Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 and over
Lowering the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in people with heart failure
Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization for heart failure, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
What is the latest news about Steglatro (ertugliflozin)?
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References
Best studies we foundAronson, R., et al. (2018). Long-term efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in patients with inadequately controlled T2DM despite diet and exercise: VERTIS MONO extension study. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism.
Heymsfield, S. B., et al. (2020). Efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in patients with overweight and obesity with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity.
Leslie, S. W., et al. (2025). Fournier gangrene. StatPearls.
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. (2024). Steglatro- ertugliflozin tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
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