Jardiance: Side effects and what to do about them (original) (raw)

Doctors prescribe Jardiance (empagliflozin) to treat type 2 diabetes. Some Jardiance side effects include mild vaginal yeast infections, producing more urine than usual, and mild urinary tract infections.

Jardiance is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and death in certain adults.

Here are some fast facts on Jardiance:

Jardiance tablets are available in two strengths: 10 milligrams (mg) and 25 mg. As with other medications, Jardiance can cause side effects. But the side effects that you may experience from the drug shouldn’t differ based on the strength you’re prescribed.

Note: Jardiance isn’t used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes. It also isn’t recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in people with severe kidney problems.

If you and your doctor decide Jardiance is an effective treatment for your condition, you’ll likely use the drug long term. For a general overview of Jardiance, including details on its uses and limitations, see this article.

Jardiance can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Jardiance in clinical trials:

* For information on this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below. † Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Mild side effects can occur with Jardiance use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects reported with the drug. For more information, you can refer to Jardiance’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Jardiance can include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Jardiance and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For information on this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below. † Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. ‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Jardiance. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials, but it has been reported since Jardiance was approved. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Jardiance may cause bad or serious side effects, but this is rare. The list below may not include all possible reported serious side effects of the drug, but it does include what may be considered the worst side effects of Jardiance. For more information, you can refer to Jardiance’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Jardiance, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For information on this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below. † An allergic reaction is possible after using Jardiance. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials, but it has been reported since Jardiance was approved. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Jardiance. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Low blood pressure. It’s possible for Jardiance to cause hypotension (low blood pressure), although this isn’t common. If you have a history of low blood pressure, talk with your doctor before you start taking Jardiance. They may recommend a different medication for you.

A history of chronic yeast infections in the genitals. Yeast infections in the genitals are one of the more common side effects of Jardiance. If you have a chronic (long-term) or recurring genital yeast infection, you may be at an increased risk for this side effect, including serious infections. For this reason, it’s important that you talk with your doctor about your history of genital yeast infections prior to taking Jardiance. They can help determine the right treatment plan for you.

Kidney problems. Taking Jardiance has caused kidney damage in some people, but this isn’t common. If you have existing kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, Jardiance may not be safe for you. In addition, having kidney problems can increase your risk of dehydration as a side effect of the drug. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any kidney problems you may have or have had before you use Jardiance. If you’re currently on dialysis treatment or if you need dialysis, your doctor won’t prescribe Jardiance for you.

High cholesterol. Before taking Jardiance, be sure to tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol. Jardiance may cause high cholesterol, which could increase your risk of stroke or heart attack. Your doctor may check your cholesterol level periodically while you’re taking Jardiance. They may also prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication for you, or adjust your dosage if you’re already taking one.

Taking other diabetes medications. Jardiance isn’t likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used on its own. But taking it with certain other diabetes medications may increase your risk for this side effect. Be sure your doctor is aware of all the medications you take, including those for diabetes, before you use Jardiance. They may adjust the dose of your other medications. Or they may have you monitor your blood sugar more often than usual.

Allergic reaction. You should not take Jardiance if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments are better choices for you.

Risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA can occur during Jardiance treatment. DKA is a serious, life threatening condition in which you have high levels of ketones in your blood or urine. This condition requires medical treatment in a hospital right away.

Certain factors may raise your risk of developing ketoacidosis. These factors include having pancreas problems, misusing alcohol (such as consuming large amounts frequently), and not eating for long periods of time. If any of these risk factors apply to you, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. They may monitor you more closely than usual during your treatment with Jardiance.

Also, be sure to get medical help right away if you have symptoms of DKA. These can include nausea and vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, and trouble breathing.

Alcohol use with Jardiance

However, certain side effects may worsen when SGLT2 inhibitors, including Jardiance, are taken with alcohol. These side effects include:

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink while you’re being treated with Jardiance.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Jardiance

Here’s some information about the use of Jardiance while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, you should not take Jardiance during the second trimester (weeks 13 to 26) and third trimester (week 27 until delivery). Animal studies have shown that pregnant animals given the drug in those trimesters had fetuses with kidney damage. Animal studies don’t always reflect what might occur in humans, but the results of the studies show there’s a potential for risk.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you. And if you become pregnant while taking Jardiance, talk with your doctor right away.

Breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking Jardiance. In animal studies, the active drug in Jardiance (empagliflozin) was present in the breast milk of pregnant animals given the drug. Animal studies don’t always reflect what might occur in humans, but the results of the studies show there’s a potential for risk. Jardiance could cause kidney problems in a child who is breastfeeding.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or thinking about it, talk with your doctor. They can recommend a different medication that’s safe to use while breastfeeding.

Jardiance may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Eye-related side effects weren’t reported by people taking Jardiance in clinical trials.

Keep in mind that if your blood sugar isn’t well managed, it could become too high. Over time, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may lead to eye-related complications if you have diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy.

If you’re concerned about problems with your eyes, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the right treatment for you.

Are itching and rash side effects of Jardiance?

People using Jardiance in clinical trials didn’t report itching and rash.

However, itching and rash may be symptoms of other Jardiance side effects. For example, a skin rash may be a symptom of an allergic reaction to Jardiance, which can be serious. And having a rash or itchiness that affects your genitals may be a symptom of a fungal infection.

For this reason, you should talk with your doctor if you experience either itching or a rash while taking Jardiance. They can help determine whether the symptoms are related to Jardiance use or something else. If Jardiance is the cause, your doctor may decide to have you stop taking the drug and try a different medication for your condition.

Can Jardiance cause weight loss?

Jardiance use may cause a small amount of weight loss. People taking the drug in clinical trials reported losing a little weight compared with people who took a placebo (treatment without an active drug). However, it isn’t clear whether this is due to Jardiance or other factors, such as changes in diet and exercise.

If you’re concerned about losing weight while taking Jardiance, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways for you to help manage your weight. In some cases, your doctor may have you stop taking Jardiance and try a different medication for your condition.

Is anxiety a possible side effect of Jardiance?

But some people with diabetes and heart failure also have anxiety. And certain symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can resemble those of anxiety. These symptoms include fatigue (lack of energy) and feeling lightheaded.

If you experience problems with your mood or anxiety while taking Jardiance, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the right treatment plan for you.

Should I expect abdominal pain if I use Jardiance?

It’s unlikely you’ll have abdominal (belly) pain if you use Jardiance. Abdominal pain as a stand-alone side effect wasn’t reported by people taking Jardiance in clinical trials.

But abdominal pain can be a symptom of a potentially life threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This condition occurs when you have high levels of ketones in your blood or urine. Very rarely, diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported in people taking Jardiance.

Diabetic ketoacidosis can also cause other symptoms (see “Serious side effects” above). If you experience abdominal pain or other symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the closest emergency room. The condition requires prompt medical attention and usually requires treatment in a hospital.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Jardiance may cause.

Severe infection in the perineum

In very rare cases, taking Jardiance can cause a potentially life threatening infection in the perineum (the area between and around the anus and genitals). This infection is called Fournier’s gangrene and requires immediate medical attention in a hospital.

What you can do

If you develop any of the following symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the closest emergency room:

Treating severe infections in the perineum, including Fournier’s gangrene, usually requires treatment with antibiotics. Surgery may also be necessary. If you develop a severe perineum infection while taking Jardiance, your doctor will likely have you stop taking the drug.

Urinary tract infection

Jardiance may cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) in some people. This was one of the most common side effects reported by people taking the drug in clinical trials. However, most people taking Jardiance didn’t have this side effect.

Most people who take Jardiance won’t develop a UTI. And most UTIs caused by Jardiance use are mild. But in rare cases, Jardiance can cause serious UTIs, which may require treatment in the hospital.

What you can do

While taking Jardiance, be aware of UTI symptoms, which can include:

In addition to the symptoms listed above, a more severe UTI may also cause:

If you’re taking Jardiance and notice symptoms of a UTI, particularly serious ones, talk with your doctor. They may recommend treatment for the infection. If you have recurring UTIs or a serious UTI while taking Jardiance, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug and try a different treatment for your condition.

Vaginal yeast infection

If you have a history of yeast infections, you may be at higher risk for this side effect with Jardiance.

What you can do

If it’s possible for you to develop a vaginal yeast infection, be aware of the symptoms while taking Jardiance.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

If you notice any of these symptoms while using Jardiance, talk with your doctor. They may recommend treatment for the infection.

If you have recurring yeast infections or a serious yeast infection while taking Jardiance, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking the drug and switch to a different treatment for your condition.

Joint pain

It isn’t clear if joint pain is a side effect of Jardiance. In clinical trials of the drug, joint pain was reported as a side effect by both people taking Jardiance and people taking a placebo. Because both groups had similar results, it’s not clear whether or not the joint pain was related to taking Jardiance.

What you can do

If you have joint pain while taking Jardiance, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to relieve it. Your doctor may have you stop using Jardiance and try a different medication for your condition.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Jardiance can cause an allergic reaction in some people, although this isn’t a common side effect.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Jardiance. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Side effects from Jardiance aren’t common. Most mild side effects of the drug go away with time and don’t require medical attention. Serious side effects are also possible.

If you’d like to learn more about Jardiance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.