Jardiance (Empagliflozin) Contains Only One Active Medication
Jardiance contains only empagliflozin as its active ingredient, not two medications. Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that works by increasing urinary glucose excretion 1.
Understanding Empagliflozin
Empagliflozin is an oral medication that belongs to the SGLT2 inhibitor class. It works through an insulin-independent mechanism by:
- Inhibiting SGLT2 in the proximal renal tubules
- Preventing reabsorption of filtered glucose
- Increasing urinary glucose excretion
- Lowering blood glucose levels without relying on insulin secretion or action
The standard dosing of empagliflozin is:
- Starting dose: 10 mg once daily
- Maximum dose: 25 mg once daily 1
Clinical Benefits Beyond Glucose Control
Empagliflozin offers several benefits beyond glycemic control:
- Cardiovascular protection in patients with established cardiovascular disease 1, 2
- Renoprotective effects 3
- Weight reduction (typically 2.8-3.8 kg) 4
- Blood pressure reduction 2
In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin demonstrated significant reductions in:
- Cardiovascular mortality
- Hospitalization for heart failure
- Overall mortality 5
Common Misconceptions
You may be confusing Jardiance with combination products that contain two medications. Some common combination diabetes medications include:
- Synjardy - contains empagliflozin + metformin
- Glyxambi - contains empagliflozin + linagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor)
However, Jardiance itself contains only empagliflozin as its active ingredient 1, 2.
Safety Considerations
When using empagliflozin, be aware of these potential adverse effects:
- Genital mycotic infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Risk of volume depletion and hypotension
- Rare but serious risk of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Reduced efficacy with declining renal function (not recommended when eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73m²) 1, 3
Empagliflozin is generally well-tolerated compared to other antidiabetic medications, with a low risk of hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy 2.