Can Jardiance (Empagliflozin) cause dermatitis?

Jardiance and Dermatitis Risk

Jardiance (empagliflozin) does not directly cause dermatitis as a primary adverse effect, though hypersensitivity reactions including skin reactions have been reported in postmarketing surveillance. 1

Primary Dermatologic Adverse Effects

The FDA-approved labeling for Jardiance identifies the following skin-related adverse reactions:

• Genital mycotic infections are the most common dermatologic adverse effect, occurring in approximately 4-5% of patients treated with Jardiance 1
• Hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria and angioedema have been reported in postmarketing experience, though the incidence is not well-defined 1
• Serious hypersensitivity reactions require immediate discontinuation of Jardiance and prompt treatment 1

Dermatitis vs. Other Skin Reactions

While classic dermatitis is not listed as a common adverse effect in clinical trials:

• Jardiance clinical trials involving 1,976 patients with mean exposure of 23 weeks did not identify dermatitis as occurring in ≥2% of patients 1
• The drug is contraindicated in patients with previous serious hypersensitivity reactions to empagliflozin 1
• Postmarketing reports have documented serious hypersensitivity reactions that could manifest as skin reactions 1

Comparison to Other Diabetes Medications

Context from other antidiabetic agents helps frame the dermatologic risk profile:

• GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide have documented cases of dermal hypersensitivity reactions presenting as drug eruptions 2
• Drug-induced cutaneous reactions can encompass various rashes including contact dermatitis, maculopapular eruptions, and urticarial reactions 3, 4

Clinical Monitoring Recommendations

Patients should be advised to report any skin reactions immediately, and Jardiance should be discontinued if hypersensitivity occurs until evaluation by a physician. 1

• Monitor for signs of hypersensitivity including rash, urticaria, or angioedema during treatment 1
• Distinguish between common genital mycotic infections (which are expected and manageable) versus systemic hypersensitivity reactions (which require drug discontinuation) 1
• Genital mycotic infections present as localized vulvovaginal symptoms in women or balanitis in men, not generalized dermatitis 1

Management of Suspected Reactions

If a patient develops a skin reaction while taking Jardiance:

• Discontinue Jardiance immediately if serious hypersensitivity is suspected 1
• Treat promptly per standard of care and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve 1
• Do not rechallenge patients who have experienced serious hypersensitivity reactions 1