Jardiance (empagliflozin): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & Dosing

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What is Jardiance?

Jardiance is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adult patients (aged 18 years and over) when it cannot be adequately controlled with diet and exercise.

Jardiance can be used without other medicines in patients who cannot take metformin (another blood sugar-lowering medicine).

Jardiance medication can also be used together with other medicines to treat diabetes. These may be medicines taken by mouth or medicines given by injection, such as insulin.

Jardiance inhibits the SGLT-2 protein in the kidneys. This causes glucose (blood sugar) to be excreted in the urine. This lowers blood sugar levels.

This medicine may also help prevent heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What is Jardiance used for?

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Jardiance is also used in people with heart failure, kidney problems, or type 2 diabetes and heart disease to help reduce your chance of the following complications.

  • Worsening kidney problems
  • Need for urgent treatment or hospital admission for heart failure
  • Dying from heart problems

Jardiance pills are not used to treat type 1 diabetes. However, it may be used for other reasons in people who have type 1 diabetes, such as to prevent complications if you also have heart failure or kidney disease.

Jardiance may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Jardiance work (mechanism of action)?

Jardiance lowers blood sugar levels by helping your body get rid of sugar when you pee. 

Jardiance lowers the risk of complications from heart failure, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney problems by helping your body get rid of extra sugar, salt, and water.

How is Jardiance supplied (dosage forms)?

Jardiance tablets are available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 10 mg oral tablets
  • 25 mg oral tablets

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Jardiance?

The most common side effects of Jardiance are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Yeast infection of the vagina or penis
  • Kidney or bladder infections
  • Increased frequency or amount of pee

What are the serious side effects of Jardiance?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Jardiance are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Jardiance medicine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Jardiance and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Jardiance may cause diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes). DKA can be life threatening. Stop taking Jardiance and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Feeling very tired, woozy, or confused
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Your breath smells fruity or sweet.
  • Very high blood sugar levels (>300 mg/dL)

Dehydration. Jardiance may cause dehydration. Dehydration may lead to low blood pressure, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension), or kidney damage. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of dehydration, low blood pressure, or kidney damage.

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Confusion
  • Unsteadiness
  • Peeing less than normal
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
  • Loss of appetite/nausea
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Seizures
  • Extreme thirst

Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis. Jardiance may cause pyelonephritis (a kidney infection) or urosepsis (an untreated urinary tract infection that spreads to your kidney). These are serious infections and may need to be treated in the hospital. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of these serious infections.

  • Dark, cloudy, or bloody pee, or pee that smells bad
  • Fever and chills
  • Loss of appetite
  • Needing to pee a lot or feeling pain when you pee
  • Pain in your lower back, side, or groin
  • Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Jardiance can cause low blood sugar, especially when combined with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Low blood sugar can be serious and may lead to death. You may need a lower dose of your other diabetes medicine to reduce your risk of hypoglycemia. Do not take Jardiance and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shaky
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Necrotizing Fasciitis (Fournier’s Gangrene). Jardiance can cause necrotizing fasciitis (an aggressive infection of the skin and the tissue underneath the skin that causes some of the tissue involved to die). Necrotizing fasciitis is rare but very serious, can lead to death, and may require surgery to treat it. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this serious infection.

  • Pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling of the perineum (of and around the anus and genitals)
  • Fever
  • General feeling of illness or discomfort

Amputations. People who take Jardiance may be more likely to have an amputation (limb or part of a limb cut off) than people who do not take Jardiance. The toe, part of the foot, or part of the leg was most often involved. Amputations seem more likely in people with diabetes, peripheral artery disease (narrowing of your blood vessels, often in your legs), diabetic foot infections, nerve damage in your legs, or who already had an amputation. Inspect your feet and legs regularly and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have sores, ulcers, or new pain or tenderness, as these may lead to the need for an amputation if not treated.

Interactions

Does Jardiance interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Jardiance and foods or drinks.

Being on a low-salt diet while taking Jardiance may increase your risk of dehydration. See the Side Effects section for more details. 

Drinking too much alcohol while taking Jardiance may increase your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. See the Side Effects section for more details. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Jardiance in other ways, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of Jardiance. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Jardiance interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following before taking Jardiance. 

  • Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure.
  • Other medicines for diabetes

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Jardiance. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Jardiance?

If you or someone else has used too much Jardiance, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Jardiance?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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