Prescription Required
Description
Jardiance (empagliflozin) Indications
Jardiance is a prescription medication that is used to:
- Lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (or adult-onset diabetes)
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death (from events such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure) in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
Jardiance works by inhibiting a specific type of protein in the body called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2).
Jardiance is not for people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine). Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that may lead to death and requires treatment in a hospital.
Jardiance is not used for lowering blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems because it may not work in these individuals.
Jardiance (empagliflozin) Uses and Dosage
The recommended daily dose of Jardiance is 10 mg, which should be taken in the morning with or without food. For additional glycemic control, the dose can be increased to 25 mg in individuals tolerating Jardiance.
Before you begin taking Jardiance, your doctor or healthcare provider will need to assess your kidney function.
Jardiance (empagliflozin) Side Effects
The most common side effects reported with Jardiance were urinary tract infections and female genital mycotic infections.
Potential serious side effects associated with Jardiance include:
- Ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can occur in a person with type 2 diabetes even if their blood sugar level is under control. In the event of ketoacidosis, you should stop taking Jardiance and contact your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room with any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
- Dehydration , which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you take medication to lower your blood pressure, are on a low-salt diet, have kidney problems, or are 65 or older, and should talk to your doctor about ways to prevent dehydration.
- Serious urinary tract infections. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of a burning feeling when passing urine, a need to urinate often or right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach or pelvis, or blood in the urine.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating shaking, or feeling jittery.
- Necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but serious bacterial infection that causes damage to the tissue under the skin in the area between and around your anus and genitals. This can happen in men and women. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever or are feeling weak and tired and develop the following symptoms between and around your anus and genitals: pain or tenderness, swelling, and redness of the skin.
- Yeast infections of the vagina or the penis. Talk to your doctor if you experience odor, itching, or discharge in the affected area.
- Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions. Symptoms may include swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas of your skin; difficulty with swallowing or breathing; raised, red areas on your skin (hives). If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Jardiance and contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Jardiance (empagliflozin) Precautions
Prior to taking Jardiance, it is important to inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions you have, including kidney or liver problems, a history of infection of the vagina or penis, a history of urinary tract infections or problems with urination.
If you are scheduled for surgery, your healthcare provider may advise you to stop taking Jardiance prior to surgery and when to resume taking it. Before taking Jardiance, it is important to discuss the following with your healthcare provider:
- Any changes in your diet
- History of problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis or surgery on your pancreas
- Whether you drink alcohol often or drink a lot of alcohol in a short period of time (“binge” drinking)
- Whether you have type 1 diabetes
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant
- Any other medications, supplements, or vitamins you are taking
Jardiance (empagliflozin) Form and Strength
Jardiance is available as:
- Jardiance film-coated tablet
- 10mg
- 25mg
- Empagliflozin tablet
- 10mg
- 25mg
FAQs
How does Jardiance work?
Jardiance assists in eliminating excess sugar the body doesn’t need through urination, which can result in lower blood sugar levels and potentially lower A1C levels.
How long does it take for Jardiance to work?
The effects of Jardiance may vary for each individual. It can take up to 24 weeks to realize results with Jardiance, so it is essential to take this medication daily exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Can Jardiance help me lose some weight?
Although Jardiance is not intended as a weight loss drug, it has helped some people lose weight. In a study with Jardiance alone, the average weight loss was 2.5% with the 10-mg dose and 2.8% with the 25-mg dose.
