What is the use of Jardiance (Empagliflozin)?

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Dainyal Siddiqui, MD

Internal Medicine

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Manuel Jimenez, MD

Cardiology

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Franz Pierre-Louis, MD

Infectious Disease

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Last updated: April 6, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a highly recommended medication for managing type 2 diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk, with a standard dose of 10 mg once daily, due to its proven benefits in reducing hospitalization risk and cardiovascular death, as well as providing kidney protection, as shown in the most recent and highest quality study, the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial 1.

Key Benefits of Jardiance

  • Reduces the composite outcome of MI, stroke, and cardiovascular death by 14% 1
  • Lowers cardiovascular death by 38% 1
  • Provides kidney protection by slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease, with a 30% lower risk of the primary composite outcome of end-stage kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes 1
  • Reduces hospitalization risk and cardiovascular death in heart failure patients, even those without diabetes, as demonstrated in the EMPEROR-Reduced trial 2 ### Important Considerations
  • Common side effects include urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections, and increased urination
  • Patients should maintain adequate hydration while taking Jardiance and temporarily stop it during severe illness, surgery, or if unable to eat or drink normally
  • Those with type 1 diabetes, severe kidney disease, or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis should not use this medication
  • Regular monitoring of kidney function and blood glucose levels is important while on Jardiance ### Recent Evidence
  • The EMPEROR-Reduced trial showed a 21% reduction in the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure in individuals with NYHA class II, III, or IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of 40% or less 2
  • The DAPA-HF trial demonstrated a lower risk of the primary outcome of a composite of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death in individuals with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II, III, or IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of 40% or less 2
  • A large recent meta-analysis of data from EMPEROR-Reduced, EMPEROR-Preserved, DAPA-HF, DELIVER, and the SOLOIST-WHF trial included 21,947 individuals and demonstrated reduced risk for the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death 2

From the FDA Drug Label

JARDIANCE is indicated: as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease. Limitations of Use JARDIANCE is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. JARDIANCE is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor indicated: as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease. Limitations of Use: Not for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis

  • Indications for Jardiance: + Improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus + Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease
  • Limitations of Use: + Not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes + Not for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis [3] [4]

From the Research

Overview of Jardiance

  • Jardiance, also known as empagliflozin, is a sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
  • It is an effective and generally well-tolerated antihyperglycaemic agent, approved for use in the EU, USA, and Japan, among other parts of the world 5.

Efficacy and Safety

  • Empagliflozin has been shown to have a moderate glucose-lowering action, with a reduction in HbA1c of about 0.5% compared to placebo 6.
  • It also has a favourable effect on non-glycaemic outcomes, including modest reductions in body weight and blood pressure 5.
  • The safety profile of empagliflozin is generally favourable, with a low risk of hypoglycaemia and no increased risk of amputation or bone fractures, unlike other SGLT2 inhibitors such as canagliflozin 5.
  • However, empagliflozin may be associated with an increased risk of genital infections, kidney failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as potential hepatotoxicity and a risk of cancer 6.

Cardiovascular Benefits

  • Empagliflozin has been shown to have cardioprotective and renoprotective properties, with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with T2DM and established cardiovascular disease 5, 6, 8.
  • The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial demonstrated a 38% relative risk reduction in death from cardiovascular causes and a 35% relative risk reduction in hospitalization for heart failure with empagliflozin compared to placebo 8.

Dosage and Administration

  • The optimal dose of empagliflozin is still a matter of debate, with different studies suggesting different dosing regimens 9.
  • A network meta-analysis suggested that a dose of 25mg per day may be the most effective and safe dose for patients with T2DM, with significant improvements in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels and a favourable safety profile 9.

References

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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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