From the Guidelines
The full benefit of Jardiance (empagliflozin) for glucose control typically becomes apparent within 1-2 weeks, with maximum effects usually seen by 4-6 weeks after starting the medication. Most patients will notice some improvement in blood glucose levels within the first few days, but the complete glycemic benefit develops gradually. Jardiance works by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, causing excess glucose to be eliminated through urine. This mechanism begins working quickly but takes time to fully impact overall glucose control and HbA1c levels. During this initial period, it's essential to continue monitoring blood glucose regularly and maintain any other diabetes medications as prescribed.
Some key points to consider when starting Jardiance include:
- The standard starting dose is 10mg once daily, taken in the morning, with a possible increase to 25mg if needed and tolerated 1.
- Staying well-hydrated is essential while taking Jardiance to prevent dehydration, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
- Side effects like increased urination may appear early, while weight loss benefits might take several weeks to become noticeable.
- Jardiance has been shown to have cardiovascular and renal benefits, including a reduced incidence of heart failure, as demonstrated in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME and CREDENCE trials 2.
- The medication should be used with caution in patients with prior amputation, severe peripheral neuropathy, severe peripheral vascular disease, or active diabetic foot ulcers or soft tissue infections, and patients should be educated on the risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and the importance of monitoring for signs and symptoms 3.
Overall, Jardiance is a valuable treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes, offering benefits for glucose control, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk reduction, with most benefits becoming apparent within 4-6 weeks of starting the medication 2.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Time to See Full Benefit of Jardiance for Glucose Control
- The studies provided do not specifically mention the exact time it takes to see the full benefit of Jardiance (empagliflozin) for glucose control 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- However, the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, which is mentioned in several of the studies, showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease 5, 8.
- The trial results were consistent across different subgroups of patients, including those with and without metformin, sulphonylurea, and insulin at baseline 5.
- A pilot randomized controlled trial found that the addition of empagliflozin to metformin improved glycemic control, reduced weight and insulin requirements, and produced several additional beneficial metabolic effects in overweight people with type 1 diabetes with increased cardiovascular risk after a 12-week intervention period 6.
- Another study found that the combination of empagliflozin and metformin was safe and effective in patients with type 2 diabetes, with a minimal risk of hypoglycemia and improvements in glucose control, body weight, and arterial blood pressure 7.
Factors Influencing the Time to See Full Benefit
- The time to see the full benefit of Jardiance may depend on various factors, including the individual patient's response to the medication, the presence of other health conditions, and the use of other medications 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Patients with chronic kidney disease may experience a slower response to empagliflozin due to decreased urinary glucose excretion 8.
- The dose of empagliflozin may also influence the time to see the full benefit, with higher doses potentially leading to faster improvements in glucose control 5, 8.