From the FDA Drug Label
At Week 24, the systolic blood pressure was statistically significantly reduced compared to placebo by -2.6 mmHg (placebo-adjusted, p-value=0.0231) in patients randomized to 10 mg of JARDIANCE and by -3.4 mmHg (placebo-corrected, p-value=0.0028) in patients randomized to 25 mg of JARDIANCE. At Week 24, the systolic blood pressure was statistically significantly reduced compared to placebo by -4.1 mmHg (placebo-corrected, p-value <0.0001) for JARDIANCE 10 mg and -4.8 mmHg (placebo-corrected, p-value <0.0001) for JARDIANCE 25 mg.
JARDIANCE decreases blood pressure. The amount of decrease in systolic blood pressure varies:
- In one study, JARDIANCE 10 mg decreased systolic blood pressure by -2.6 mmHg and JARDIANCE 25 mg by -3.4 mmHg compared to placebo 1.
- In another study, JARDIANCE 10 mg decreased systolic blood pressure by -4.1 mmHg and JARDIANCE 25 mg by -4.8 mmHg compared to placebo 1.
From the Research
Jardiance (empagliflozin) typically decreases systolic blood pressure by 3-5 mmHg on average, with effects beginning within the first few weeks of treatment. This blood pressure reduction is considered a beneficial secondary effect of the medication, which is primarily prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk. The blood pressure-lowering effect occurs because Jardiance works as an SGLT2 inhibitor, causing increased glucose excretion in urine along with sodium loss, leading to mild diuretic effects and reduced blood volume.
Key Points
- This modest reduction in blood pressure can be particularly beneficial for diabetic patients who often have hypertension as a comorbidity.
- However, patients should be aware that this blood pressure reduction, while generally beneficial, may occasionally cause symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, especially when starting treatment or when combined with other blood pressure medications.
- Jardiance is not prescribed primarily as a blood pressure medication, and patients with hypertension should continue their regular antihypertensive medications unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider.
Evidence
The evidence from the study 2 supports the blood pressure-lowering effect of empagliflozin, with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, irrespective of the number of antihypertensives and use of diuretics or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers.
Clinical Implications
In clinical practice, the blood pressure-lowering effect of Jardiance should be taken into account when managing patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and patients should be monitored for potential hypotensive effects, especially when initiating treatment or combining with other antihypertensive medications.