What are the side effects of Jardiance (Empagliflozin)?

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Last updated: March 6, 2025 • View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Jardiance (empagliflozin) can cause several side effects, including common side effects like urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections, increased urination, and thirst, as well as more serious side effects like ketoacidosis, serious urinary tract infections, and hypoglycemia, as reported in the most recent study 1.

Common Side Effects

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Genital yeast infections
  • Increased urination
  • Thirst

Serious Side Effects

  • Ketoacidosis (a dangerous condition with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and trouble breathing)
  • Serious urinary tract infections
  • Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (a rare but serious infection of the genitals)
  • Hypoglycemia (especially when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues)
  • Volume depletion leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, particularly in elderly patients or those taking diuretics
  • Allergic reactions or kidney problems The medication works by causing the kidneys to remove excess sugar through urine, which explains many of these side effects. Patients should stay well-hydrated while taking Jardiance and contact their healthcare provider if they experience severe or persistent side effects, as recommended by recent guidelines 1. It's also important to note that empagliflozin has been associated with a reduced risk of heart failure hospitalization, as shown in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial 1 and other studies 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Serious urinary tract infections. Serious urinary tract infections that may lead to hospitalization have happened in people who are taking JARDIANCE Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) A rare but serious bacterial infection that causes damage to the tissue under the skin (necrotizing fasciitis) in the area between and around the anus and genitals (perineum) Vaginal yeast infection Yeast infection of the penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis). Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions. The most common side effects of JARDIANCE include: urinary tract infections yeast infections in females

The side effects of Jardiance (Empagliflozin) include:

  • Serious urinary tract infections
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum
  • Vaginal yeast infection
  • Yeast infection of the penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis)
  • Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Yeast infections in females 2

From the Research

Side Effects of Jardiance (Empagliflozin)

The side effects of Jardiance (Empagliflozin) include:

  • Symptomatic hypotension 3
  • Troublesome genital fungal infections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Urinary tract infections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Rare ketoacidosis 3, 5
  • Severe hypersensitivity reaction to the drug 3
  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 3
  • Volume depletion 5, 7
  • Diuretic effect leading to a fail in blood pressure, especially during co-administration with other diuretics or antihypertensive drugs 5
  • Hepatotoxicity 5
  • Risk of cancer (especially bladder cancer) cannot be ruled out 5
  • Interactions with nephrotoxic drugs, which aggravate its adverse effects and decrease its hypoglycaemic potency 5

Common Adverse Effects

Common adverse effects of empagliflozin include:

  • Genital infections, which occur more frequently, especially in women 4
  • Mild urinary tract infections 4
  • Hypotension and volume depletion, although the risk is low 4
  • Small increases in hematocrit and lipid levels 7

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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