Adipex vs. Jardiance

See how Adipex and Jardiance compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Adipex is a short-term stimulant appetite suppressant approved for only a few weeks of use, while Jardiance is an SGLT2 inhibitor approved for long-term daily use in type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease.

  • Any weight loss with Jardiance is a secondary effect of its diabetes and kidney mechanism, not an FDA-approved use, so using it specifically for weight loss is off-label.

  • Adipex carries controlled-substance and cardiovascular risks that rule it out for many patients, while Jardiance's main risks involve genital and urinary infections and, rarely, diabetic ketoacidosis.

Adipex vs. Jardiance Drug Summary

Adipex

Adipex (phentermine) is a sympathomimetic amine that stimulates the central nervous system to reduce appetite. It's approved only for short-term use, a few weeks at a time, alongside diet and exercise for weight loss in adults with obesity. It comes as an oral tablet or capsule taken once daily.

Jardiance

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor that lowers blood sugar by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose through urine. It's approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease to reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization risk. It's taken as one oral tablet daily and isn't approved for weight loss.

Adipex vs. Jardiance Side Effects

Adipex

Most common
Insomnia (not specified)
Dizziness (not specified)
Restlessness (not specified)
Dry mouth (not specified)

Jardiance

Most common
Hypoglycemia (up to 41.3% with insulin/sulfonylurea)
Urinary tract infection (up to 9.3%)
Female genital mycotic infection (up to 5.4%)
Increased urination (1% to 10%)

Adipex vs. Jardiance Dosage

Adipex

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 18.75 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 15 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Jardiance

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 10 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 25 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Adipex vs. Jardiance Indications

Adipex

Adipex is FDA-approved only for short-term weight loss, typically just a few weeks, used alongside diet and exercise in adults with obesity. It is not approved for long-term weight management or for anyone with a history of heart disease. Dosing is adjusted for people with reduced kidney function.

  • Short-term adjunct to diet and exercise for weight loss

  • Approved for use of only a few weeks at a time

  • Not approved for long-term weight management

  • Not approved for patients 16 and younger

Jardiance

Jardiance is FDA-approved to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular death risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is also approved for heart failure, regardless of ejection fraction, and to slow chronic kidney disease progression. Using it for weight loss alone is off-label, since any weight loss is a secondary effect, not the approved use.

  • Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, ages 10 and up

  • Reduces cardiovascular death risk in type 2 diabetes with heart disease

  • Reduces death and hospitalization risk in heart failure

  • Slows chronic kidney disease progression

Adipex vs. Jardiance Pros and Cons

Adipex

Adipex works quickly to reduce appetite and has decades of clinical use behind it, but it's approved only for short-term treatment and carries stimulant-related risks. As a Schedule IV controlled substance, it also requires monitoring for misuse and isn't suitable for people with cardiovascular disease.

Pros

  • Long track record of use since 1959

  • Fast-acting appetite suppression

  • Widely available as an inexpensive generic

  • Roughly $50 to $150 per month without insurance, well below Jardiance

Cons

  • Approved for only a few weeks of use, not long-term

  • Schedule IV controlled substance with abuse potential

  • Contraindicated with heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension

  • Common stimulant side effects like insomnia and restlessness

Jardiance

Jardiance's benefits extend well beyond blood sugar control, covering heart failure and kidney disease, and it's approved for long-term daily use. It carries a different risk profile than Adipex, including infection and rare ketoacidosis risks, without the abuse potential of a controlled substance.

Pros

  • Approved for long-term daily use, not just short-term

  • Added benefits for heart failure and kidney disease

  • No abuse potential, not a controlled substance

  • Approved for pediatric type 2 diabetes patients aged 10 and up

Cons

  • Roughly $350 to $620 per month without insurance, well above Adipex

  • Risk of genital and urinary tract infections

  • Not approved for weight loss; any weight loss is a secondary effect

  • Rare risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, even without high blood sugar

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