Jardiance (Empagliflozin) for Heart Disease

Overview
Jardiance is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. It is suitable for adults with various forms of heart failure, including those with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Jardiance is also known by its drug name, empagliflozin.

Empagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It works by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose through urine, which can also lead to reduced blood pressure and decreased stress on the heart, contributing to better heart failure outcomes.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Jardiance is taken orally as a tablet once daily in the morning, with or without food. It is important to take Jardiance exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
According to prescribing information, common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and female genital mycotic infections (such as yeast infections). 

Rare but serious side effects may include diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous buildup of acid in the blood) in people with type 1 diabetes and other ketoacidosis; volume depletion (excessive loss of bodily fluids that can cause dehydration, dizziness, and low blood pressure); urosepsis and pyelonephritis (serious infections of the urinary tract and kidneys that can cause fever, pain, and kidney damage); hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with insulin or insulin-stimulating medications; necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s gangrene, a severe bacterial infection of the genital area); genital mycotic infections; infections or ulcers of lower limbs; and serious hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema (rapid swelling beneath the skin, often around the eyes and lips).

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Label: Jardiance — Empagliflozin Tablet, Film Coated — DailyMed

Empagliflozin — MedlinePlus