From the Guidelines
Jardiance (empagliflozin) has not been strongly associated with causing pancreatitis, and the risk of pancreatitis is not a major concern with this medication. Unlike some other diabetes medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic or Trulicity) or DPP-4 inhibitors (like Januvia), Jardiance belongs to the SGLT2 inhibitor class which works through a different mechanism that doesn't directly affect the pancreas. Jardiance primarily works by helping the kidneys remove excess sugar from the bloodstream through urine.
Key Points to Consider
- Clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance have not identified pancreatitis as a common or significant side effect of Jardiance, as noted in the 2025 standards of care in diabetes 1.
- The more commonly reported side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections, and volume depletion.
- However, as with any medication, individual responses can vary, and rare adverse events are always possible.
- If you're taking Jardiance and experiencing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that might suggest pancreatitis, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation.
Mechanism and Benefits
- Jardiance has been shown to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as reported in the 2024 multispecialty practice recommendations for the management of diabetes, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases 1.
- The medication also has benefits for kidney function and weight loss, making it a valuable option for patients with type 2 diabetes who are at risk for these complications.
Comparison to Other Medications
- GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic or Trulicity, have been associated with a higher risk of pancreatitis, as noted in the 2024 multispecialty practice recommendations for the management of diabetes, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases 1.
- DPP-4 inhibitors, such as Januvia, have also been linked to a higher risk of pancreatitis, although the evidence is not as strong as it is for GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Conclusion Not Applicable - Direct Answer Only
In summary, Jardiance is not strongly associated with causing pancreatitis, and the benefits of the medication, including its ability to reduce the risk of MACE and HF, make it a valuable option for patients with type 2 diabetes.
From the Research
Jardiance and Pancreatitis
- Jardiance, also known as empagliflozin, is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes.
- The relationship between Jardiance and pancreatitis is not fully understood, with some studies suggesting a potential link and others finding no increased risk.
Studies on Jardiance and Pancreatitis
- A 2024 study 2 found that empagliflozin did not increase the risk of acute pancreatitis compared to sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- A 2021 case report 3 described a patient who developed severe epigastric abdominal pain consistent with acute pancreatitis while taking empagliflozin, suggesting a possible drug-induced acute pancreatitis.
- A 2020 case report 4 also described a patient who developed acute pancreatitis after initiating empagliflozin, with the authors concluding that the medication was the likely cause.
- Earlier studies 5, 6 examined the risk of pancreatitis associated with various anti-diabetic therapies, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, but did not specifically investigate Jardiance.
Findings and Implications
- The available evidence suggests that while there may be some cases of pancreatitis associated with Jardiance, the overall risk is not well established.
- More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between Jardiance and pancreatitis, particularly in large-scale studies with long-term follow-up.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risk of pancreatitis in patients taking Jardiance and monitor them accordingly.