Jardiance vs. Invokana

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

Key Takeaways

  • Jardiance and Invokana are both once-daily SGLT2 inhibitor pills that lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove excess glucose through urine.

  • Jardiance is approved for heart failure at any ejection fraction and for a broad chronic kidney disease population, indications Invokana does not carry.

  • Invokana has FDA-approved outcome data for reducing kidney failure in diabetic nephropathy, but its label carries added warnings for bone fracture and lower-limb amputation that Jardiance's label does not.

Jardiance vs. Invokana Drug Summary

Jardiance

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor tablet used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and to lower cardiovascular and kidney risks. It is taken once daily by mouth, usually starting at 10 mg and increasing to 25 mg if more blood sugar control is needed. It also carries approvals for heart failure at any ejection fraction and for slowing chronic kidney disease.

Invokana

Invokana (canagliflozin) is also an SGLT2 inhibitor tablet, approved for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and for lowering cardiovascular and kidney risks. It is taken once daily by mouth, starting at 100 mg and increasing to 300 mg if additional glucose control is needed. It has dedicated outcome data showing it slows diabetic kidney disease progression.

Jardiance vs. Invokana Side Effects

Jardiance

Most common
urinary tract infection (up to 9.3%)
female genital mycotic infection (up to 5.4%)
hypoglycemia (up to 41.3% with insulin/sulfonylurea)
volume depletion related reactions (up to 11.4%)

Invokana

Most common
urinary tract infection (up to 5.9%)
female genital mycotic infection (up to 11.6%)
increased urination (up to 5.3%)
male genital mycotic infection (up to 4.2%)

Jardiance vs. Invokana Dosage

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

Invokana

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 100 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 300 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Jardiance vs. Invokana Indications

Jardiance

Jardiance is FDA-approved for blood sugar control in adults and children age 10 and up with type 2 diabetes. It also carries approvals to reduce cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, to reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization in heart failure at any ejection fraction, and to slow chronic kidney disease progression.

  • Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (ages 10+)

  • Reduce cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with heart disease

  • Reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization in heart failure

  • Slow chronic kidney disease progression and related complications

Invokana

Invokana is FDA-approved for blood sugar control in adults and children age 10 and up with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease, and it carries a dedicated approval to reduce kidney failure, cardiovascular death, and heart failure hospitalization in adults with diabetic kidney disease.

  • Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (ages 10+)

  • Reduce major cardiovascular events with established heart disease

  • Reduce risk of kidney failure in diabetic kidney disease

  • Reduce cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization

Jardiance vs. Invokana Pros and Cons

Jardiance

Jardiance carries the broadest label of the two, spanning diabetes, heart failure at any ejection fraction, and a wide chronic kidney disease population. Its trial data show a lower rate of genital yeast infections than canagliflozin, though it does not carry canagliflozin's bone fracture and amputation warnings. Insurance coverage is generally solid, but prior authorization requirements vary by plan.

Pros

  • Approved for heart failure at any ejection fraction, unlike Invokana

  • Approved to slow chronic kidney disease in a broader population

  • Lower labeled rate of genital mycotic infection than canagliflozin

  • No FDA warning for bone fracture or lower-limb amputation risk

Cons

  • Slightly higher labeled urinary tract infection rate than canagliflozin

  • Very high hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas

  • Kidney disease indication is newer, with less long-term outcome history

Invokana

Invokana was the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in the U.S. and has dedicated trial data showing it slows diabetic kidney disease and lowers cardiovascular death in that population. Its label carries added warnings for bone fracture and lower-limb amputation that don't appear on empagliflozin's label. Formulary placement and prior authorization requirements vary by insurance plan.

Pros

  • Dedicated outcome trial for slowing diabetic kidney disease progression

  • Slightly lower labeled urinary tract infection rate than empagliflozin

  • Renal-function-based dosing table allows more tailored dose steps

  • Longer real-world track record, first approved a year earlier

Cons

  • FDA warning for increased bone fracture risk starting as early as 12 weeks

  • FDA warning for increased lower-limb amputation risk seen in trials

  • Higher labeled rate of female genital mycotic infection than empagliflozin

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.