What is Jardiance and What Does It Do?

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a prescription medication that lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It is also used in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease to reduce important cardiovascular and kidney-related risks. It belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors, which cause the kidneys to remove more glucose through urine. This can increase urination and the risk of dehydration and genital infections; rare but serious ketoacidosis can also occur, so patients should discuss warning signs and precautions with a clinician. Clinical studies show Jardiance can reduce A1C levels by 0.7-0.8% when used alone or with other diabetes medications. Beyond blood sugar control, Jardiance reduced the combined risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death by 14% in a major study of people with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The benefit was driven mainly by fewer cardiovascular deaths; the study did not establish a significant reduction in heart attack or stroke individually. Some patients lose a modest amount of weight while taking Jardiance, although results vary and the medication is not approved specifically for weight loss.