Description
Description
Jardiance is a prescription medicine used for multiple reasons. This medication can lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes (similar to Forxiga). In doing so, it can lower weight similar to Trulicity and Victoza. It can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in diabetic adults who have known cardiovascular disease or complications with health failure. Empagliflozin works by increasing the removal of sugar by your kidneys. Your doctor may recommend this medication along side with your insulin vial or pen.
Jardiance is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
Jardiance is not used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems because it may not work.
Before Taking Jardiance
Before Taking Jardiance
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, before you take Jardiance. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you have liver issues; if you have a history of vaginal or penis infections; if you have had urinary tract infections; or if you have difficulty urinating.
Your healthcare provider may stop your Jardiance before you have surgery if you tell them you’re having surgery.
Additionally, make sure your healthcare provider knows if you’re eating less or changing your diet; if you have problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis or surgery on your pancreas; or if you consume a lot of alcohol in a short time period (“binge drinking”).
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take water pills (diuretics) or medications that can lower your blood sugar, such as insulin.
Usage
Usage
Jardiance is taken orally once daily, typically during morning hours, with or without food. A doctor will prescribe your dose based on your current medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication at the same time each day to achieve optimal results.
Consult your doctor if you find your condition does not improve or worsen while taking this medication, such as your blood sugar levels remain high or increase.
If you miss your dose, take it as soon as possible. If your next dose is near, then just skip the missed dose. Continue taking your dose at the usual time. Never take a double amount to catch up.
Warnings and Precautions
Warnings and Precautions
Jardiance is not to be used for treating type 1 diabetes.
Patients may have an allergy to empagliflozin or any of its inactive ingredients. Let your doctor or pharmacist know of any allergies you have.
Let your doctor or pharmacist know of any severe medical conditions such as kidney problems, liver problems, heart failure, high cholesterol, dehydration, or a history of yeast infections.
Patients using Jardiance should not drive or operate heavy machinery unless they are sure it is safe. This is because it may cause extremely low or high blood sugar, causing drowsiness or dizziness.
Consider alcohol consumption while taking this medication, leading to high ketone levels and low blood sugar levels.
When the body is stressed due to skipping meals, illness, fever, infection, surgery, or injury, it may make it harder for patients to manage blood sugar levels and high ketone levels. Depending on blood sugar levels or ketone levels, your doctor may adjust your treatment.
Inform your doctor or dentist you are taking Jardiance before undergoing surgery.
Seniors may experience kidney problems, dehydration, dizziness, or fainting while standing while taking this medication.
Seniors are also at increased risk of decreases in blood sugar and urinary tract infections while taking Jardiance.
Diabetes may worsen during pregnancy, and as a result, your doctor may choose to adjust your treatment. This medication should only be used as needed during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor about the possible risks of taking Jardiance and any changes to your medicine during pregnancy.
Whether this medication passes through breast milk is unknown. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning on breastfeeding
Side Effects
Side Effects
As with any medication, side effects can occur while taking Jardiance. The following information below does not cover all possible side effects.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to get detailed information on the possible side effects associated with Jardiance.
Common side effects experienced by patients taking Jardiance include urinary tract infections (urinating more often, cloudy urine, burning sensation while urinating) and vaginal yeast infections (soreness, itching, and soreness).
Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. You may require over-the-counter medication.
Serious side effects associated with Jardiance may occur but are typically rare. If you do experience severe side effects, contact your doctor. If you feel the symptoms are life-threatening, seek a medical emergency by calling 911.
Serious side effects may include hypotension (clammy skin, depression, dizziness or falling when standing up, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness).
Kidney damage can also be a severe side effect, and its symptoms include confusion, decreased urination, fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles.
Jardiance can also increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and cause severe allergic reactions.
This medication may also cause severe side effects of ketoacidosis (See more in the ketoacidosis section).
Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis
Reports of ketoacidosis, a severe life-threatening condition requiring urgent hospitalization, have been identified in clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, including Jardiance. Fatal cases of ketoacidosis have been reported in patients taking Jardiance. In placebo-controlled trials of patients with type 1 diabetes, the risk of ketoacidosis was increased in patients who received SGLT2 inhibitors compared to placebo patients. Jardiance is not indicated for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Patients treated with Jardiance who present with signs and symptoms consistent with severe metabolic acidosis should be assessed for ketoacidosis regardless of presenting blood glucose levels, as ketoacidosis associated with Jardiance may be present even if blood glucose levels are less than 250 mg/dL.
If ketoacidosis is suspected, Jardiance should be discontinued, the patient should be evaluated, and prompt treatment should be instituted. Treatment of ketoacidosis may require insulin, fluid, and carbohydrate replacement.
In many postmarketing reports, particularly in patients with type 1 diabetes, the presence of ketoacidosis was not immediately recognized, and treatment institution was delayed because presenting blood glucose levels were below those typically expected for diabetic ketoacidosis (often less than 250 mg/dL). Signs and symptoms at presentation were consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. In some but not all cases, factors predisposing to ketoacidosis such as insulin dose reduction, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, surgery, pancreatic disorders suggesting insulin deficiency (e.g., type 1 diabetes, history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery), and alcohol abuse were identified.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Jardiance should not be used by women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Jardiance may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking Jardiance, tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. Jardiance may pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed while taking Jardiance.
Based on animal data showing adverse renal effects, Jardiance is not recommended during pregnancy’s second and third trimesters. The limited available data with Jardiance in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major congenital disabilities and miscarriage
Storage
Storage
Keep the medication at room temperature, away from moisture and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep the medication away from children and pets.
Do not dispose of medication down the toilet or into the drainage. Speak to your pharmacist about how to properly dispose of unused or expired medication.
