All About Jardiance

What are Jardiance’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Jardiance may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects, but they don’t include all the possible side effects.

Also, keep in mind that the side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you are taking

Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information about the potential side effects of Jardiance. They can also suggest ways to help reduce them.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Jardiance may cause. You can learn more about these and other effects in the drug’s prescribing information. You can also see this article on Jardiance’s side effects.

Mild side effects of Jardiance can include:

• nausea
• vaginal or penile yeast infection*
• urinary tract infection (UTI)*
• urinating more often than usual or making more urine than usual

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Jardiance can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have a serious side effect, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects can include:

• kidney damage
• dehydration (low fluid level), which may cause dizziness or weakness
• ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body)
• low blood pressure
• Fournier’s gangrene*
• serious UTI*
• allergic reaction*

These aren’t all the serious side effects of Jardiance. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about these and other side effects of the drug.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some side effects that Jardiance may cause.

Fournier’s gangrene

Jardiance can cause a type of gangrene called Fournier’s gangrene. With this condition, tissues on or near your genitals become infected and die. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

Symptoms of Fournier’s gangrene can include:

• pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling in your genital or perineal area
• fever
• malaise (feeling weak and tired)

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of Fournier’s gangrene. They’ll check to see if you have the condition.

If you do, your doctor will recommend treatment. This could include antibiotics and surgery to remove any dead tissue.

You’ll stop taking Jardiance while you’re receiving treatment for Fournier’s gangrene. Your doctor will recommend the best way to manage your blood sugar levels until the gangrene goes away. Then, they’ll work to determine the best treatment going forward.

Genital yeast infections

It’s possible to develop a yeast infection while taking Jardiance.

This drug can cause yeast infections in males and females. But in studies, yeast infections were more common in females. (In this article, the terms “male” and “female” refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.)

You may have a higher risk of yeast infections with Jardiance if you’ve had one in the past.

Symptoms of a genital yeast infection may include:

• itchiness
• pain or soreness
• rash
• redness
• swelling
• thick white discharge

What might help

If you think you have a genital yeast infection, call your doctor. They will monitor your symptoms and check for an infection. If needed, they’ll write a prescription or recommend an over-the-counter medication.

To help prevent yeast infections, it’s important to drink plenty of water and have healthy hygiene habits.

Urinary tract infection

Jardiance can cause a UTI in both males and females. But in studies, UTIs were more common in females.

If you’ve had UTIs in the past, you may have an increased risk of developing one with Jardiance. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this.

Symptoms of a UTI might include:

• a burning sensation, pain, or urgency when urinating
• dark or cloudy urine
• fatigue (low energy level)
• fever or chills
• nausea
• pain in the sides of your back

What might help

Call your doctor if you have any UTI symptoms. They will order tests to check for the infection and, if needed, they’ll recommend a treatment, such as antibiotics.

Drink plenty of water and practice healthy hygiene techniques to help prevent UTIs. For more information on how to help prevent UTIs, ask your doctor or see this article.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Jardiance. It isn’t known how often this happened in clinical studies. But it has been reported in rare cases after the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (warmth, swelling, or redness in your skin)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Jardiance. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Before taking Jardiance, let your doctor know if you’ve had an allergic reaction to any medications.

What is Jardiance’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Jardiance that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Jardiance is available as an oral tablet in two strengths: 10 milligrams (mg) and 25 mg.

Recommended dosages

Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Jardiance that’s right for you and your condition. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you receive will be determined by your doctor.

For a more detailed look at Jardiance’s dosages, see this article.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes in adults and children

Jardiance can be prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes in adults and in children ages 10 years and older. For this treatment, doctors usually prescribe 10 mg. You’ll usually take it once per day in the morning.

Depending on how effective Jardiance is for you or your child, a doctor may prescribe a 25-mg dose. In this case, you’ll still take it once per day in the morning.

Dosage for heart disease with type 2 diabetes

For treatment of heart disease that’s associated with type 2 diabetes, your doctor will likely prescribe a 10-mg daily dose. You’ll typically take it in the morning.

Dosage for heart failure

Jardiance can be prescribed to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death related to heart failure. For this treatment, your dose will likely be 10 mg daily in the morning.

Dosage for chronic kidney disease

Jardiance is approved to help reduce the risk of serious complications, hospitalization, and death due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). If your doctor prescribes Jardiance for your CKD, your dose will likely be 10 mg daily. You’ll typically take this dose in the morning.

Taking Jardiance with other drugs

Your doctor may prescribe Jardiance together with other medications. They might do this if one drug isn’t working to lower your blood sugar levels enough by itself.

Several prescription drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Here are a few examples:

• alogliptin (Nesina)
• dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
• glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase)
• insulin, such as insulin glargine (Basaglar, Lantus, Toujeo)
• metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza)
• pioglitazone (Actos)
• saxagliptin (Onglyza)
• semaglutide (Ozempic)

Studies have shown that Jardiance is effective when it’s used as an add-on, second-line treatment with metformin. (This means that Jardiance is used along with another drug, metformin, which is the first-choice treatment option.)

In these studies, Jardiance was given to people with CKD, heart failure, or heart disease. The drug has protective effects on the heart and kidneys.

If you’d like to know more about using other treatments with Jardiance, talk with your doctor.

Questions about taking Jardiance

You may have questions about how to take Jardiance. Below, we offer some answers.

• What if I miss a dose of Jardiance? If this happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to your next scheduled dose, only take the next dose, like usual. Do not double up your dose. Doing so can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low, which may be dangerous.
• Will I need to take Jardiance long term? If Jardiance works well for you, your doctor may recommend that you take it long term. Talk with your doctor about your treatment plan for type 2 diabetes and how long you’ll need to take Jardiance.
• Can Jardiance be chewed, crushed, or split? No, these tablets shouldn’t be chewed, crushed, or split. If you have trouble swallowing pills, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about your options. Also, these tips may help.
• Should I take Jardiance with food? You’ll take Jardiance in the mornings, with or without food.
• How long does Jardiance take to work? Jardiance starts to work in about 30 to 60 minutes. But when you first start taking the drug, it might take a few days to several weeks to manage your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will monitor your treatment progress and adjust your Jardiance dosage if needed.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Jardiance and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

• Before your appointment, write down questions like:
  • how will Jardiance affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
• Bring someone to your appointment if it will help you feel more comfortable.
• If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

What should be considered before taking Jardiance?

Ask your doctor about all the possible benefits and risks of taking Jardiance. If you have problems with your kidneys or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, ask if it’s safe to take this drug.

These and other considerations are described below.

Interactions

Taking medications, having vaccines, eating certain foods, and doing some other things while taking a drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Jardiance, be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions with Jardiance that these may cause.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Jardiance can interact with other drugs, such as:

• Insulin: If you take insulin with Jardiance, you may develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). You’ll need to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully if you’re taking both insulin and Jardiance. This will help prevent a serious drop in your blood sugar levels.
• Diuretics: If you take diuretics with Jardiance, they can lower your blood pressure and also cause changes in your blood sugar levels. These effects happen because both drugs may cause you to make more urine or need to urinate more often than usual. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the risks of taking Jardiance and diuretics together.

This list doesn’t contain all the drugs that may interact with Jardiance. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these and any other possible interactions. You can also see this article for more details about Jardiance’s interactions.

Jardiance and alcohol

Jardiance doesn’t interact with alcohol.

But drinking a lot of alcohol may raise your risk of certain side effects of Jardiance. These include:

• dehydration
• low blood pressure
• ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body), which is rare but serious

Drinking alcohol while taking Jardiance may also:

• affect how well your liver works
• lead to interactions with other diabetes medications
• lower your blood sugar levels too much

Talk with your doctor to see if it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking this drug.

Warnings

Jardiance can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Jardiance is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Jardiance. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• low blood pressure
• kidney or liver problems
• history of urinary tract infection (UTI) or genital yeast infections
• planned surgery
• previous allergic reaction to Jardiance
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• type 1 diabetes
• peripheral artery disease
• diabetic foot infection

What are some frequently asked questions about Jardiance?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Jardiance.

Is Jardiance used for weight loss?

No, Jardiance isn’t approved as a weight loss medication. But weight loss may occur while you’re taking it.

Some studies found that people with type 2 diabetes lost weight while taking Jardiance. People in the studies were taking Jardiance either alone or with certain other medications.

Whether you lose weight with Jardiance may depend on:

• your dosage of Jardiance
• other medications you’re taking, such as metformin
• changes to your lifestyle habits involving diet and exercise

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about weight loss with Jardiance.

How are Jardiance and Invokana alike and different?

Jardiance contains the active drug empagliflozin, while Invokana contains the active drug canagliflozin. But Jardiance and Invokana both belong to a group of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

Jardiance and Invokana are both used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, together with changes to diet and exercise routines. But Jardiance can also be prescribed for this use in children ages 10 years and older.

Both medications are also used to lower certain heart-related risks in adults with both diabetes and heart disease. For example:

• Jardiance is used to lower the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
• Invokana is used to lower the risk of death from heart disease. And it’s used to lower the risk of stroke or heart attack that doesn’t lead to death.

However, doctors may prescribe Jardiance to treat certain conditions that aren’t related to diabetes. Specifically, Jardiance is approved to lower the risk of serious complications and death from heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Invokana is also approved to lower the risk of serious complications and death from heart failure and CKD, but only in people who also have diabetes.

You’ll take either Jardiance or Invokana by mouth once per day, in the morning. Invokana should be taken before you eat anything, but Jardiance can be taken with or without food.

These medications can cause some similar side effects and some different ones. Their similar side effects include:

• low blood pressure
• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• yeast infection
• ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body)
• kidney damage

If you’d like to know more about how Jardiance and Invokana compare, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Jardiance work?

Jardiance works by preventing blood sugar from moving from your bloodstream into your cells when your blood is filtered by your kidneys. This helps your body get rid of glucose through your urine, lowering the amount of glucose in your blood. So, your blood sugar levels become lower.

If you’d like to know more about how Jardiance works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What is Jardiance used for?

Jardiance is prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes in adults and in children ages 10 years and older. It’s prescribed along with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise plans.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body stops producing enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps manage your blood sugar level. When your body doesn’t make enough insulin, it’s possible to develop high blood sugar.

Jardiance works to lower blood sugar levels by helping your body eliminate sugar. This way, your blood sugar levels don’t become high.

Doctors may also prescribe Jardiance to:

• reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in adults with heart failure
• reduce the risk of death in adults who have both type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• reduce the risk of serious complications, including hospitalization and death, in adults with chronic kidney disease

Jardiance works to treat these conditions by helping your body get rid of excess sugar and sodium in your blood. In turn, this helps lower the amount of stress on your heart and kidneys.

Jardiance isn’t meant to treat type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or polycystic kidney disease. It’s also not meant to be taken with certain other treatments for kidney disease. For example, doctors usually won’t prescribe Jardiance if you’re taking a high dose of prednisone or another drug that reduces your immune system activity.

Jardiance cost and coupons

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Jardiance. What you’ll pay for Jardiance may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Jardiance when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
• Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A Jardiance Savings Card may also be available.

For more information about Jardiance’s cost, see this article.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

What should be done in case of overdose?

Don’t take more Jardiance than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

If an overdose happens, you may have side effects that may be dangerous. These can include:

• damage to your kidneys
• ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body)
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)

What to do in case you take too much Jardiance

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Jardiance. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Ask your doctor

Many options other than Jardiance are available for managing type 2 diabetes. These include both medications and lifestyle changes. There are also medications other than Jardiance for people with heart disease.

If you’d like to, ask your doctor for more information about Jardiance and other medications for your condition. They can help find the best option for you.

Keep in mind that diet and exercise changes can help manage blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor or a registered dietician about diet tips for people with type 2 diabetes.

Before taking Jardiance, ask your doctor about what to expect from the treatment. Here are some questions to help you get started:

• How can I prevent sudden changes in my blood sugar levels while taking Jardiance?
• Will I be able to tell if Jardiance is working for me?
• How soon will my blood sugar levels go down after I take Jardiance?