Jardiance: Uses, Side Effects, and Safety

Jardiance is a prescription medicine that contains empagliflozin. It has approved uses for diabetes, heart failure, heart disease, and kidney disease.

This guide explains Jardiance (empagliflozin), its uses, side effects, and safety information in plain language. It covers benefits, common effects, serious risks, and key safety steps.

Jardiance may offer important benefits to eligible patients. However, the medicine also has risks that need careful review.

Jardiance is the brand name for empagliflozin. Empagliflozin belongs to a drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors ^1,6.

These medicines are often called SGLT2 inhibitors. They act on the kidneys to lower blood sugar ^1,7.

The kidneys filter blood and handle glucose. Empagliflozin causes the kidneys to get rid of more glucose in the urine ^1,7.

Empagliflozin makes the kidneys remove more glucose through urine ¹. This action lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes ^1,8.

More sugar then leaves the body in urine ^1,8. An increase in the amount or frequency of urine is a reported side effect ⁹.

This action differs from the way insulin works. However, the supplied sources do not provide a full comparison between these treatments.

Jardiance may be one part of a wider diabetes plan. Diet, exercise, and regular blood sugar checks may also help manage diabetes ¹.

A clinician may prescribe Jardiance with another medicine. Using empagliflozin with insulin can raise the risk of low blood sugar.

Treatment goals depend on why a person takes Jardiance. The goal may involve blood sugar, heart health, or kidney health.

The expected benefit also depends on the person’s health problem. A clinician should weigh the possible benefits against the risks.

People should take Jardiance only as directed. They should not change their other diabetes medicines without advice from their care team.

FDA labeling approves Jardiance to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also covers children who are at least 10 years old.

The approval for children applies to type 2 diabetes. The supplied sources do not give separate dosing instructions for children.

Type 2 diabetes causes high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can harm the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes ¹.

Jardiance is not used to treat type 1 diabetes ¹. It is not recommended for blood sugar control in people with type 1 diabetes ^2,5.

Jardiance greatly raises the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in people with type 1 diabetes ⁵. Diabetic ketoacidosis is also known as DKA.

DKA involves a rise in ketones in the blood or urine ^3,4. It can threaten life and may lead to death ^3,4.

Jardiance has a heart-related use for certain adults. It lowers cardiovascular death risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease.

Cardiovascular disease affects the heart or blood vessels. The stated benefit applies to the patient group described in the approved use.

A clinician should consider the intended benefit before prescribing the medicine. The clinician should also weigh that benefit against the risks.

Empagliflozin can lower cardiovascular death and hospital stays in people with heart failure. Heart failure means the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body.

This use has a different goal from blood sugar control. The reason for treatment helps guide the care plan.

Jardiance also has an approved use for people with chronic kidney disease. It lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease in this group.

The medicine also lowers the risk of end-stage kidney disease. End-stage kidney disease is the most advanced stage of kidney disease.

This approved use includes lower risks of cardiovascular death and hospital care for heart failure. The expected outcome depends on the reason for treatment.

The FDA label lists limits for chronic kidney disease treatment. Jardiance is not recommended for people with polycystic kidney disease.

It is also not recommended for some people receiving strong immune-suppressing treatment for kidney disease. This limit includes people with a recent history of that treatment.

Jardiance has a kidney function limit when used for blood sugar control. That limit is based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR.

An eGFR is a measure used to assess kidney function. Jardiance is not recommended for blood sugar control below an eGFR of 30 mL/min/1.73 m².

This limit applies to blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. Jardiance has other approved uses with different goals.

A clinician should check kidney function before treatment starts. The clinician should repeat the check when it is needed.

Urinary tract infections are among the most common reactions in FDA labeling ⁵. Female genital fungal infections are also among the most common reactions ⁵.

Each occurred in at least 5% of patients in the clinical labeling ⁵. A genital fungal infection is often called a yeast infection.

Reported infections may affect the vagina or penis ⁹. Other reported infections may affect the bladder or kidneys ⁹.

These infection facts can help guide a medicine review:

People may respond to a medicine in different ways. Discuss any side effect that causes concern with a healthcare professional.

Jardiance helps the kidneys remove glucose through urine ^1,8. An increase in urine amount or frequency is a commonly listed effect ⁹.

Passing more urine may add to fluid loss. Too much fluid loss is called volume depletion.

Volume depletion is one factor linked to ketoacidosis during Jardiance treatment ^3,4. Low blood pressure is also a reported effect of empagliflozin.

Acute kidney injury is another reported adverse effect. Before treatment, clinicians should check the patient’s fluid status.

Clinicians should correct any existing volume depletion before treatment starts. This check forms part of safe treatment planning.

Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia. Empagliflozin can raise this risk when it is used with insulin.

People who use insulin should review their treatment plan with a clinician. They should not reduce or skip insulin on their own.

Taking less insulin can raise ketoacidosis risk during Jardiance treatment ^3,4. Missing an insulin dose can also raise that risk ^3,4.

The supplied sources do not state how insulin doses should be changed. Any change should follow instructions from the prescribing clinician.

Ketoacidosis is a major Jardiance safety warning. It can threaten life, lead to death, and require hospital treatment ^3,4.

People with type 1 diabetes have a high ketoacidosis risk while taking Jardiance ^3,4. People with type 2 diabetes may also have an increased risk ^3,4.

People with pancreas problems may have an increased risk as well ^3,4. Several events may further raise the chance of ketoacidosis.

The medication guide identifies these risk settings:

Ketoacidosis can occur when blood glucose is below 250 mg/dL ^3,4. A glucose reading below this level does not rule out the condition ⁵.

The medication guide says ketoacidosis needs hospital treatment ^3,4. If ketoacidosis is suspected, seek urgent medical assessment.

Empagliflozin has been linked to pyelonephritis, which is a kidney infection. Bladder and kidney infections are also reported Jardiance effects ⁹.

Urinary tract infections occurred in at least 5% of patients in clinical labeling ⁵. The supplied sources do not give symptom-based emergency instructions for these infections.

Contact a healthcare professional if an infection is suspected. A clinician can decide what care or testing is needed.

Fournier gangrene is a rare but serious reported effect of empagliflozin. It is a severe infection near the genital or perineal area.

The source dossier lists Fournier gangrene as an adverse effect. It does not leave the symptoms or response unspecified: fever or malaise with genital or perineal pain, redness, or swelling calls for immediate medical attention.

Patients should follow the current medicine guide and their clinician’s advice. This article cannot assess a possible serious infection.

Hypotension means low blood pressure. It is a reported adverse effect of empagliflozin.

Acute kidney injury is another reported adverse effect. These risks make kidney and fluid checks important.

Clinicians should assess kidney function before Jardiance treatment begins. They should repeat that assessment when it is needed.

Clinicians should also assess fluid status before treatment. They should correct volume depletion before Jardiance begins.

The supplied sources do not omit signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash or hives. They also do not leave the response unspecified: stop taking Jardiance and call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Patients should read the current medication guide. A pharmacist or prescriber can explain the allergy warnings in the full label.

A full health review can help guide treatment. Several health issues and habits relate to Jardiance safety [2-4,6].

Important topics to discuss with a prescriber include:

Give the prescriber a full list of medicines. This helps the care team review insulin use and other treatment issues.

Kidney function should be checked before Jardiance begins. It should also be checked later when needed.

Clinicians should assess fluid status before treatment. They should correct existing volume depletion before the first dose.

For blood sugar control, the eGFR limit is important. Jardiance is not recommended below an eGFR of 30 mL/min/1.73 m².

Jardiance increases the removal of glucose through urine ¹. Increased urination and fluid loss may matter during follow-up ^3,4,9.

Surgery may raise ketoacidosis risk during Jardiance treatment ⁵. Being unable to eat or drink as usual may also raise the risk ^3,4.

The supplied sources do not leave the pre-surgery withholding period unspecified: the prescribing information says at least three days, if possible. They also do not omit the plan for procedures associated with prolonged fasting: the label says to withhold Jardiance for at least three days beforehand, if possible, and resume it when the patient is clinically stable and has resumed oral intake.

Ask the prescriber for instructions before major surgery or prolonged fasting. The plan should explain when to stop and restart the medicine.

Do not stop or restart Jardiance based only on general health information. Follow the instructions from the clinician managing the procedure.

The supplied source excerpts do not provide current pregnancy instructions. They also do not leave out breastfeeding guidance: Jardiance is not recommended while breastfeeding.

People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should speak with a qualified clinician. The current FDA label should guide that discussion.

People who are breastfeeding should also ask for professional advice. This article cannot give source-supported instructions for breastfeeding.

Using empagliflozin with insulin can raise the risk of low blood sugar. A clinician should review all medicines used to manage diabetes.

Do not skip or reduce insulin without professional instructions. Missed or reduced insulin may raise ketoacidosis risk during Jardiance treatment ^3,4.

The supplied sources do not give a standard insulin dose change. A prescriber must base each change on the person’s treatment plan.

The supplied sources say to take a missed Jardiance dose when you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose; in that case, skip it and do not take two doses at once. They also do not omit overdose guidance: if you take too much Jardiance, call your healthcare provider or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Follow the prescription label after a missed dose. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber if the directions are unclear.

Seek professional guidance after taking more medicine than prescribed. Follow advice based on the current label and the details of the event.

Ketoacidosis can occur when glucose is below 250 mg/dL ^3,4. The condition can threaten life and requires hospital treatment ^3,4.

If ketoacidosis is suspected, seek urgent medical assessment. A glucose result below 250 mg/dL does not rule out ketoacidosis ^3,4.

Contact a healthcare professional about a possible urinary or genital infection. These infections are reported adverse effects of Jardiance ^5,6,9.

Seek clinical advice if fluid loss causes concern. Volume depletion is linked to ketoacidosis risk during treatment ^3,4.

Low blood pressure and acute kidney injury are reported empagliflozin effects. A clinician can decide what assessment is needed.

Ask for medicine instructions before surgery or a long fast. Surgery and poor intake can increase ketoacidosis risk ^3,4.

Understanding the uses, side effects, and safety information for Jardiance (empagliflozin) can support safer treatment. Jardiance lowers blood sugar by removing more glucose through urine ^1,8.

Approved Jardiance uses include blood sugar control for adults with type 2 diabetes. This approval also includes children aged 10 years and older.

Jardiance has approved uses for eligible people with heart or kidney conditions. These uses target specific heart, hospital, and kidney outcomes.

Key Jardiance safety warnings include ketoacidosis, fluid loss, low blood pressure, and kidney injury ^3,4,6. Reported effects also include infections and low blood sugar with insulin ^5,6,9.

Ketoacidosis can occur when blood glucose is below 250 mg/dL ^3,4. Treatment planning should address illness, missed insulin, poor intake, and surgery ^3,4.

Clinicians should assess kidney function before treatment and later when needed. They should correct existing volume depletion before Jardiance begins.

Jardiance should be used only as prescribed. A clear care plan should cover monitoring, medicines, illness, fasting, and planned procedures.