From the Guidelines
Jardiance (empagliflozin) commonly causes urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections, and increased urination due to its mechanism of removing glucose through the kidneys. Other frequent side effects include dehydration, low blood pressure, and increased thirst, as reported in the study published in Circulation in 2020 1. Some patients experience nausea, upper respiratory tract infections, and joint pain. More serious but less common side effects include diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney problems, and serious urinary tract infections. Rarely, Jardiance can cause necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier's gangrene) and serious allergic reactions. These side effects occur because Jardiance is an SGLT2 inhibitor that blocks glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, causing glucose to be excreted in urine, as explained in the study published in Circulation in 2019 1. This creates an environment favorable for infections and can affect fluid balance. Patients should stay hydrated, maintain good hygiene, monitor for signs of infection, and seek medical attention if experiencing severe side effects. The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, mentioned in the study published in Circulation in 2020 1, demonstrated that empagliflozin reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) by 14% and all-cause mortality by 32%, highlighting the importance of considering the benefits and risks of Jardiance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Key considerations for patients taking Jardiance include:
- Monitoring for signs of urinary tract infections and genital yeast infections
- Maintaining good hydration to prevent dehydration
- Regularly checking blood pressure and adjusting as needed
- Being aware of the potential for more serious side effects, such as diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney problems.
From the FDA Drug Label
Inform patients that the most common adverse reactions associated with the use of JARDIANCE are urinary tract infections and mycotic genital infections. The common side effects of Jardiance are:
- Urinary tract infections
- Mycotic genital infections 2
From the Research
Common Side Effects of Jardiance
The common side effects of Jardiance, also known as empagliflozin, include:
- Genital infections, such as vulvovaginitis and balanitis, which are more common in patients taking SGLT-2 inhibitors, including Jardiance 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are also more common in patients taking SGLT-2 inhibitors, including Jardiance 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Risk of Infections
The risk of genital and urinary tract infections associated with Jardiance is higher compared to other antidiabetic drugs, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sulfonylurea (SU), and thiazolidinedione (TZD) 3. The increased risk of UTIs and genital infections seems to have a dose-response relationship for some SGLT-2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin 7.
Treatment and Management
These infections are usually successfully treated with standard therapies, but diabetologists may not be accustomed to dealing with them 5. It is essential for clinicians to be aware of the potential risks of genital and urinary tract infections in patients taking Jardiance and to guide them in the most effective use of these agents for the treatment of hyperglycemia 6.