Generic name: empagliflozin [ EM-pa-gli-FLOE-zin ]
Drug class: SGLT-2 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Aug 11, 2022.

What is Jardiance?

Jardiance is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. Empagliflozin works by helping the kidneys get rid of glucose from your bloodstream.

Jardiance is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Jardiance is used to lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.

Jardiance is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure (when the heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body) in adults with heart failure.

Jardiance is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Warnings

Stop taking Jardiance and call your doctor at once if you have signs of a serious side effect, such as stomach pain, vomiting, tiredness, or trouble breathing.

You should not use Jardiance if you have severe kidney disease or if you are on dialysis, or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis.

Taking Jardiance can make you dehydrated, which could cause you to feel weak or dizzy (especially when you stand up).

Tell your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Jardiance can cause serious infections in the penis or vagina. Get medical help right away if you have burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, or if you don't feel well.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Jardiance if you are allergic to empagliflozin, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

To make sure Jardiance is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• a bladder infection or urination problems;

• a genital infection (penis or vagina);

• problems with your pancreas, including surgery;

• alcoholism, or if you currently drink large amounts of alcohol;

• if you are on a low salt diet; or

• if you are 65 or older.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.

You should not use Jardiance during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Do not breastfeed while you are taking Jardiance.

Jardiance is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Jardiance?

Take Jardiance exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Jardiance with or without food.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test the level of ketones in your urine. Empagliflozin can cause life-threatening ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood). Even if your blood sugar is normal, contact your doctor if a urine test shows that you have high ketones in the urine.

Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.

You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Jardiance.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and special medical care.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Jardiance for Diabetes Type 2:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in the morning
-May increase to 25 mg orally once a day for patients tolerating therapy and requiring additional glycemic control
Maximum dose: 25 mg per day

Comments:
-Not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
-Not recommended to improve glycemic control in patients with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 as it is unlikely to be effective.
-Volume depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy.

Uses:
-An adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
-To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in the morning
-May increase to 25 mg orally once a day for patients tolerating therapy and requiring additional glycemic control
Maximum dose: 25 mg per day

Comments:
-Not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
-Not recommended to improve glycemic control in patients with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 as it is unlikely to be effective.
-Volume depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy.

Uses:
-An adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
-To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Usual Adult Dose for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction:

10 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
-Volume depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy.
-For patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction, there is insufficient date to recommend use in patients with an eGFR less than 20 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Use: To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death plus hospitalization for HF in adults with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Jardiance?

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Jardiance side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Jardiance: hives; trouble swallowing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a serious genital infection (penis or vagina): burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, not feeling well. These symptoms may get worse quickly.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• dehydration - dizziness, confusion, feeling very thirsty, less urination;

• ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood) - nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing; or

• signs of a bladder infection - pain or burning when you urinate, blood in your urine, pain in pelvis or back.

Some side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.

Common Jardiance side effects may include:

• a bladder infection; or

• yeast infection in women (vaginal itching or discharge).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Jardiance?

Other drugs may increase or decrease the effects of Jardiance on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• insulin, or other oral diabetes medicine; or

• a diuretic or "water pill."

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with empagliflozin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Jardiance only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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