Receiving a new prescription, especially for a condition like type 2 diabetes or heart failure, can be overwhelming. You’re often left with a leaflet of clinical text that doesn’t answer the questions you’re really asking: “How will this make me feel?” “Can I afford this?” “What does this mean for my daily life?”
This guide is different. We will provide a complete, expert-reviewed overview of Jardiance (empagliflozin), including its approved uses, side effects, and warnings. But more importantly, we will also address the real-world “experience” of taking this medication, including managing costs and understanding how it compares to other options.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- What it is: Jardiance (generic name: empagliflozin) is an oral, once-daily prescription medication.
- How it Works: It is an SGLT2 inhibitor. It works by helping your kidneys remove sugar from your bloodstream and excrete it through your urine.
- What it Treats: Jardiance is FDA-approved to:
- Lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes (along with diet and exercise).
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for adults with heart failure.
- Reduce the risk of further kidney damage, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Serious Warnings: Jardiance can cause serious side effects, including ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency), serious urinary tract infections, and Fournier’s gangrene. Seek medical help immediately if you experience symptoms.
What is Jardiance (Empagliflozin)?
Jardiance is the brand name for empagliflozin, a prescription tablet you take once per day. It belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitors.
Unlike other diabetes medications that focus on insulin, Jardiance works in a completely different way.
How Does Jardiance Work? (The SGLT2 Inhibitor Mechanism)
- Filtering: Your kidneys act as filters, processing your blood. Normally, they filter out glucose (sugar) and then reabsorb it back into the bloodstream.
- The SGLT2 Protein: The SGLT2 protein is responsible for most of this glucose reabsorption.
- The Block: Jardiance works by inhibiting (blocking) this SGLT2 protein.
- The Result: By blocking the protein, Jardiance prevents the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose. Instead, the excess glucose is “spilled” out of your body in your urine, which helps lower your overall blood sugar levels.
This mechanism also helps remove excess sodium and water from your body, which is why it has powerful protective benefits for the heart and kidneys.
What is Jardiance Used To Treat?
Jardiance was initially approved for diabetes, but its powerful protective effects have led to its approval for several major conditions.
1. Type 2 Diabetes
For adults with type 2 diabetes, Jardiance is used (along with diet and exercise) to improve glycemic control (lower blood sugar). It is also approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death for those who also have established heart disease.
2. Heart Failure
Jardiance is prescribed for adults with heart failure to reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular causes and to reduce the need for hospitalization. This is a crucial benefit, as it has been shown to work for heart failure patients even if they do not have diabetes.
3. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
For adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Jardiance is used to reduce the risk of the disease getting worse, including preventing the need for dialysis (end-stage kidney disease), and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization.
The Benefits of Jardiance: Beyond Blood Sugar
Many patients are surprised to learn that the benefits of Jardiance often go far beyond just managing blood sugar.
Cardiovascular Protection
For patients with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, Jardiance has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death. According to the landmark EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, it showed a 38% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death compared to a placebo. This is why it’s considered a first-line choice for many patients with this specific risk profile.
Potential for Weight Loss
While not its primary purpose, many patients experience modest weight loss while taking Jardiance. Studies have shown that patients taking empagliflozin, on average, lose a small but significant amount of weight (typically 2-3% of their body weight). This is thought to be due to the loss of calories from the glucose excreted in the urine.
Kidney Protection
As mentioned, Jardiance is now FDA-approved for CKD. By reducing the workload on the kidneys and lowering pressure within them, it helps slow the progression of kidney disease.
Common and Serious Side Effects of Jardiance
Because Jardiance makes you excrete sugar in your urine, its most common side effects are related to the urinary tract.
Common Side Effects
- Genital yeast infections (in both women and men)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Increased urination
- Thirst
Serious Side Effects & Warnings
You must contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms of these rare but life-threatening conditions.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This is a medical emergency. Seek help if you have nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, or trouble breathing, even if your blood sugar is normal.
- Dehydration (Volume Depletion): Jardiance can cause some people to become dehydrated, leading to low blood pressure. This is more common in people on diuretics (water pills) or those with existing kidney problems.
- Serious UTIs (Urosepsis & Pyelonephritis): While common UTIs can occur, some can become very serious infections that spread to the kidneys or bloodstream.
- Fournier’s Gangrene: This is an extremely rare but life-threatening bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin of the perineum (the area between the anus and genitals).
- Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): The risk of this is low when Jardiance is used alone, but the risk increases significantly if you also take other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas.
The Patient Experience: Managing Side Effects
“Starting a new daily medication for a chronic condition feels like a new ‘job.’ My biggest fear was the side effects. My doctor explained that while yeast infections are common, good hygiene and monitoring are key. Knowing what to watch for, like unusual thirst or any signs of a UTI, makes me feel more in control and less anxious about the ‘what-ifs’.”
Managing side effects is often about preparation. Talk to your doctor about good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infections and how to stay properly hydrated to avoid dehydration and dizziness. [Read our guide to understanding {type 2 diabetes}] to learn more about managing your condition.
How to Take Jardiance: Dosage and Administration
Always take Jardiance exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Recommended Dosing
- Jardiance is an oral tablet taken once daily in the morning.
- It can be taken with or without food.
- The starting dose for type 2 diabetes is typically 10 mg.
- Your doctor may increase your dose to 25 mg if additional blood sugar control is needed and the 10 mg dose is well-tolerated.
- Dosing for heart failure and CKD is typically 10 mg once daily.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to “make up” for the missed one.
Important Warnings and Precautions
Jardiance is not safe or effective for everyone.
Who Should Not Take Jardiance?
Do not take Jardiance if you:
- Are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in Jardiance.
- Are on dialysis.
- Have Type 1 diabetes (Jardiance is only for Type 2).
You should also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Jardiance is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Drug Interactions to Avoid
Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Be especially careful if you take:
- Diuretics (water pills): Can increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure.
- Insulin or Sulfonylureas: Can significantly increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Your doctor may need to lower the dose of your other medication.
Cost, Insurance, and Patient Assistance
For many patients, the biggest barrier to treatment is cost. Jardiance is a brand-name drug with no generic equivalent, and it can be expensive.
Navigating Insurance Coverage
Most Medicare and commercial insurance plans cover Jardiance, but it may be in a “preferred” tier or require prior authorization. This means your doctor may need to submit paperwork to your insurance explaining why this specific drug is necessary for you.
Manufacturer Savings Programs
The manufacturer of Jardiance (Boehringer Ingelheim) offers several patient support options:
- Jardiance Savings Card: For patients with commercial insurance, this card can significantly reduce co-pays, often to as little as $10 per month. This is not valid for patients on Medicare or other government programs.
- Patient Assistance Program (PAP): The manufacturer’s foundation provides the medication for free or at a very low cost to qualifying individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and meet specific income requirements.
[Read our guide to understanding {SGLT2 inhibitors}] for a more detailed breakdown of this class of drugs.Jardiance vs. Other Diabetes Medications
How does Jardiance stack up against other common treatments?
Jardiance vs. Metformin
- Metformin is almost always the first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. It works by reducing glucose production in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Jardiance works via the kidneys.
- Use: They are often prescribed together. If Metformin alone isn’t enough to control your blood sugar, your doctor may add Jardiance. Jardiance is also prioritized if you have co-existing heart or kidney disease due to its protective benefits.
Jardiance vs. Other SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g., Farxiga)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin) are in the same SGLT2 inhibitor class.
- Similarity: They work in the same way and have similar side effect profiles (e.g., risk of UTIs, yeast infections).
- Difference: Both have been proven to provide significant heart and kidney benefits, though they were studied in slightly different patient populations. Your doctor and insurance plan will often determine which one is the right choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common side effect of Jardiance?
The most common side effects are genital yeast infections (more common in women) and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
How quickly does Jardiance work to lower blood sugar?
Jardiance begins to work after the first dose, and you may see improvements in your blood sugar levels within the first 1-2 weeks. However, the full effect on your A1c (a 3-month average of blood sugar) may take up to 3 months.
Does Jardiance cause weight loss?
Many people experience modest weight loss (e.g., 4-6 pounds) while taking Jardiance. This is considered a common side effect and benefit, but it is not approved as a weight-loss drug.
Can Jardiance damage your kidneys?
This is a common misconception. In fact, Jardiance is protective of the kidneys and is FDA-approved to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) to prevent further damage. However, it should not be started in patients with very severe kidney impairment (e.g., those on dialysis).
When to See a Doctor
You must seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience symptoms of:
- Ketoacidosis: Nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, feeling very tired or sleepy, or trouble breathing.
- Fournier’s Gangrene: Pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital or anal area, accompanied by a fever.
- Serious Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis): Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
You should also call your doctor if you experience:
- Symptoms of a UTI (burning feeling when urinating, frequent urination, cloudy urine, or pelvic/back pain).
- Symptoms of a genital yeast infection.
- Feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness (signs of dehydration).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for, and should never be relied upon for, professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
Published on November 9, 2025 and Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by: Priyank Pandey
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