From the Guidelines
Yes, Jardiance (empagliflozin) may cause dizziness as a side effect, particularly due to its diuretic effect leading to dehydration and lower blood pressure, as noted in the context of managing sick days for patients with diabetes, kidney, or cardiovascular disease 1.
Mechanism and Risk Factors
This medication works by helping the kidneys remove excess sugar from the blood through urine. The risk of dizziness may be higher if you're also taking medications for high blood pressure or if you're not drinking enough fluids.
Management and Prevention
To minimize this side effect, ensure adequate hydration throughout the day, avoid standing up too quickly from sitting or lying positions, and consider taking Jardiance earlier in the day rather than before bedtime.
Monitoring and Healthcare Provider Guidance
If dizziness becomes severe or persistent, contact your healthcare provider, as dose adjustments or medication changes might be necessary. Never stop taking Jardiance without consulting your doctor first. It's also important to follow the recommended doses and indications for SGLT2 inhibitors like empagliflozin, as outlined in recent guidelines 1, to minimize adverse effects while maximizing therapeutic benefits.
From the FDA Drug Label
JARDIANCE can cause some people to have dehydration (the loss of body water and salt) Dehydration may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, light-headed, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension).
- Dizziness is a possible side effect of JARDIANCE, particularly in the context of dehydration.
- Patients may be at higher risk of dehydration if they have low blood pressure, take medicines to lower their blood pressure, are on a low sodium diet, have kidney problems, or are 65 years of age or older 2. Yes, JARDIANCE can cause dizziness.
From the Research
Adverse Effects of Jardiance (Empagliflozin)
- The provided studies do not directly mention dizziness as a side effect of Jardiance (Empagliflozin) 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, a study on vertigo and dizziness as adverse reactions to various drugs suggests that many classes of drugs can cause these symptoms, including anti-hypertensives and anti-diabetics 7.
- Although Jardiance (Empagliflozin) is not specifically mentioned in this study, it is an anti-diabetic medication that can cause changes in blood pressure and glucose levels, which may potentially lead to dizziness.
- Another study mentions that the diuretic action of empagliflozin can lead to volume depletion and a fall in blood pressure, especially during co-administration with other diuretics or antihypertensive drugs, which may increase the risk of dizziness 6.
Mechanism of Action and Potential Side Effects
- Jardiance (Empagliflozin) works by inhibiting the SGLT2 sodium-glucose cotransporter, which can cause therapeutic glycosuria and lead to a loss of body mass 3.
- This mechanism of action can also lead to a decrease in blood pressure, which may be beneficial for some patients but potentially increase the risk of dizziness in others 4, 6.
- The studies suggest that Jardiance (Empagliflozin) is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause adverse effects such as genital infections, kidney failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis 4, 5, 6.