How It Works
The kidneys normally filter sugar and then reabsorb it into the bloodstream, where the body can use it for energy. Jardiance changes this process by:
- Blocking the grabber protein: Jardiance blocks the protein (SGLT2) that pulls sugar back into your blood.
- Flushing out extra sugar: Because the sugar isn’t being pulled back into your blood, it stays in your urine to be flushed out when you pee.
- Removing extra salt and water: Along with sugar, Jardiance helps your kidneys eliminate excess salt and water.
For people with heart failure, reducing salt and water intake is helpful. It reduces the total amount of fluid the heart has to pump, which takes stress off the heart muscle. For those with kidney disease, this process helps regulate the pressure inside the kidneys, which can slow down the progression of permanent damage.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Common Brands | Jardiance |
| Drug Class | SGLT2 inhibitor |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic version available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Dosing
While Jardiance is a once-a-day treatment, it is important to be consistent to get the full heart-protecting benefits.
- Starting dose: Most people start with a 10-mg tablet taken once daily.
- Dose increase: If you need more help lowering your blood sugar, your doctor might increase your dose to 25 mg once a day.
- Best time to take it: It is recommended to take Jardiance in the morning. Taking it at night may cause disrupted sleep due to urination.
- How to take it: Take the tablet with or without food. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- Missed doses: If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed. Do not take two doses at once.
Before you start taking Jardiance, your doctor will likely run blood tests to ensure your kidneys can handle the medication.
Note: Dosing information below is educational only. Your prescribing physician will determine your specific dose based on your individual health needs. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for exact dosing.
Uses
FDA-Approved Uses
The FDA approves Jardiance for several medical conditions, including:
- Type 2 diabetes: To help lower blood sugar
- Heart disease protection: To lower the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke in people with type 2 diabetes who already have heart disease
- Heart failure: To lower the risk of death and hospitalization for those with heart conditions
- Chronic kidney disease: To help slow the worsening of kidney problems for patients with CKD
Off-Label Uses
You may see Jardiance prescribed for uses that are not FDA-approved. This is a common and legal practice called off-label prescribing, where a doctor uses their clinical judgment to prescribe a drug for a different (but well-researched) purpose.
Jardiance may be prescribed off-label for the following conditions:
- Weight management: While Jardiance isn’t a weight-loss drug, some doctors may prescribe it off label to help diabetic patients lose a small amount of weight.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): In some cases, providers use SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance to help women with PCOS manage their insulin levels and weight.
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Side Effects
Because Jardiance changes how sugar and water move through your body, it has side effects that may differ from those of other diabetes drugs.
Common Side Effects
- Increased urination and thirst
- Genital yeast infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to look for if they do occur. It’s generally recommended that you stop taking the medication and immediately call the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Ketoacidosis: A dangerous buildup of acids in the blood. Seek medical help if you have nausea, stomach pain, or fruity-smelling breath, even if your blood sugar is normal.
- Severe dehydration: This can lead to low blood pressure. Providers typically recommend watching for extreme dizziness or feeling like you might faint.
- Serious infections: A rare but severe infection (Fournier’s gangrene) can happen in the genital area. Seek help for pain, redness, or swelling in that area.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning or prolonged symptoms.
Pharmacist Tips
Drink Plenty Of Water
Because Jardiance works like a mild water pill, stay hydrated to prevent dizziness and protect your kidneys.
Keep Things Clean
To avoid yeast infections, providers advise practicing good hygiene. Standard guidelines recommend wearing cotton underwear and changing out of sweaty workout clothes right away.
Check Your Feet
If you have diabetes, check your feet every night for any cuts, sores, or red spots that aren’t healing.
Tell Your Surgeon
Inform your doctor if you have surgery scheduled. You may need to stop taking Jardiance a few days before the procedure to ensure your safety.
Don’t Panic At Sugar Tests
If you take a urine test at a doctor’s office, it will show sugar in your pee. This is normal and shows the medication is working.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can change how Jardiance works or increase your risk of side effects. It’s generally recommended to notify your doctor if you take any of the following medications:
- Insulin and glipizide: Taking these with Jardiance can cause your blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia).
- Water pills (diuretics): Combining these with Jardiance can lead to dehydration.
- Lithium: Jardiance can lower lithium levels in your blood, altering the drug’s effectiveness.
- Alcohol: Drinking heavily while on Jardiance can increase your risk of dangerous blood acid levels (ketoacidosis).
Always give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to check for potential interactions.
FAQs
Why do I feel thirsty since starting this pill?
Jardiance works by removing sugar through your urine. Because sugar pulls water with it, you lose more fluid than before. This process can trigger thirst as your body signals that it needs to replace that water.
Why did my cardiologist prescribe Jardiance for my heart failure when my blood sugar is normal?
Jardiance can help the heart even without a diabetes diagnosis. Removing excess salt and water can lower blood pressure, which may make it easier for a strained heart to pump blood.
Is it true that Jardiance can cause yeast infections?
Yes. Yeast feeds on sugar. Since Jardiance increases sugar in your urine, it creates an environment where yeast can grow more easily in the genital area.
Will taking Jardiance help me lose weight?
It is common to lose about 4 to 6 pounds while taking Jardiance. However, it is not FDA-approved as weight-loss medication.
Do I need to check my blood sugar more often while taking Jardiance?
Your doctor will tell you how often to check. While Jardiance usually doesn’t cause low blood sugar on its own, it can if you take it with other diabetes medicines like insulin.
Is it safe to take Jardiance with my blood pressure medications?
Usually, yes, but your blood pressure might drop slightly because of the extra fluid you are losing. Your doctor might need to adjust your other doses.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?
It is generally advised to limit alcohol. Drinking can make it harder to spot low blood sugar and increase the risk of the serious acidic blood condition called ketoacidosis.
Can I use Jardiance if I have type 1 diabetes instead of type 2?
No. Jardiance is not approved for type 1 diabetes and can be dangerous for those patients.
Does Jardiance actually protect from heart attacks and strokes?
Yes. Medical studies have shown that Jardiance reduces the risk of heart-related death, especially in people who already have heart disease.
Is it safe to use this medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Standard guidelines recommend avoiding Jardiance in the middle and later parts of pregnancy, as it may affect the baby’s kidney development. It’s generally advised to talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Comparable Medications
Farxiga, Steglatro, Ozempic, Metformin, or Glipizide?
Below are common alternatives to Jardiance:
Dapagliflozin
Similar to Jardiance. Both are SGLT2 inhibitors that work through the kidneys and offer nearly identical benefits for the heart and kidneys.
Ertugliflozin
Another kidney-focused diabetes pill. While it lowers blood sugar, it currently has fewer approved uses for protecting the heart and kidneys than Jardiance.
Semaglutide
Ozempic is a GLP-1 injection. While Jardiance works through the kidneys, Ozempic works by slowing stomach emptying and signaling to your brain that you are full. Ozempic typically leads to greater weight loss, but high-risk patients may be prescribed Jardiance and Ozempic.
Metformin
From $24.99
The most common first step for managing type 2 diabetes. It works in the liver, making your body more sensitive to insulin. Jardiance is commonly added to metformin when a patient needs more help or has cardiovascular risk factors.
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Important: Information on this page is for educational purposes only. Prescribing decisions are made by independent, licensed providers. TelyRx operates technology-enabled pharmacies and a telehealth platform that connects patients with board-certified licensed providers. Prescriptions, when provider-approved and issued, are filled and shipped by TelyRx-affiliated pharmacies. We do not employ physicians or make prescribing decisions. Learn more about our editorial standards here.