From the Guidelines
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is best taken once daily in the morning with or without food. The standard dose is typically 10 mg once daily, which may be increased to 25 mg once daily if needed for better glycemic control, as indicated in the package insert and supported by recent guidelines 1. It's essential to take Jardiance at approximately the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels of the medication. Morning dosing is generally preferred because Jardiance increases urination as it works by helping your kidneys remove glucose through urine, and taking it earlier in the day may reduce nighttime bathroom trips that could disrupt sleep.
Some key considerations when taking Jardiance include:
- Staying well-hydrated throughout the day, as Jardiance can cause dehydration
- Being aware of the potential for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially when taking Jardiance with insulin or insulin secretagogues like sulfonylureas, and having quick-acting carbohydrates available
- Understanding that Jardiance works by inhibiting sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) in the kidneys, which prevents glucose reabsorption and allows excess glucose to be excreted in urine, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and providing cardiovascular and renal benefits, as discussed in recent clinical practice guidelines 1.
It's also important to note that the use of Jardiance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires careful consideration of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with dose adjustments or avoidance recommended for certain stages of CKD, as outlined in the consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The recommended dose of JARDIANCE is 10 mg once daily in the morning, taken with or without food. The best time to take Jardiance (Empagliflozin) is in the morning, at a dose of 10 mg once daily, and it can be taken with or without food 2.
- The dose may be increased to 25 mg in patients tolerating JARDIANCE.
- It is essential to follow the recommended dosage and administration instructions to ensure safe and effective use of the medication.
From the Research
Best Time to Take Jardiance (Empagliflozin)
The optimal timing for taking Jardiance (Empagliflozin) is not strictly defined, but studies provide insights into its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics:
- A study published in F1000Research in 2021 3 investigated the effect of morning versus evening administration of empagliflozin on its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characteristics in healthy adults. The results showed that there was no statistical significance between the morning and evening doses in terms of bioequivalence.
- Key findings from this study include:
- T max increased by 35% in the evening phase compared to the morning phase
- C max decreased by -6.5% in the evening dose compared to the morning dose
- AUC 0 to ∞ increased in the evening phase by 8.25% compared to the morning phase
- The mean cumulative amount of glucose excreted (UGE (0-24)) increased by 43% in the evening dose compared to the morning dose
- Other studies, such as those published in Circulation in 2021 4 and 2020 5, and in the European journal of heart failure in 2022 6, focused on the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure, but did not specifically address the optimal timing for administration.
- A study published in the European heart journal in 2016 7 reported that empagliflozin reduced the risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, but also did not provide information on the best time to take the medication.
Administration Timing Considerations
Given the lack of specific guidance on the optimal timing for taking Jardiance, patients should follow the instructions provided by their healthcare provider or the medication label.
- It is essential to take the medication consistently, either in the morning or evening, to maintain its effectiveness.
- Patients should also be aware of potential side effects and monitor their condition closely while taking empagliflozin.