Jardiance (empagliflozin) may not be the right choice for every patient. In such cases, it is important to discuss with a medical provider potential Jardiance alternatives. Alternatives on this page are not the only ones available, just examples.
Jardiance Alternatives
What are your options when it comes to alternatives for Jardiance?
For Diabetes Type 2
Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet) is considered the “gold standard” for treatment of type 2 diabetes and may be a viable alternative to Jardiance, especially in people who are sensitive or allergic to ingredients in Jardiance. Metformin is also considered safe during pregnancy, so it’s considered a better alternative for pregnant and breastfeeding parents.
For Heart Failure / Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Empagliflozin is shown to be an effective drug for people with heart failure. Many other types of drugs are available for treating heart failure conditions, such as beta-blockers like metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor), diuretics like Lasix (furosemide), and ACE inhibitors like lisinopril (Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril).
For Weight Loss in Diabetics and Weight Loss in Non-diabetics
Jardiance has been shown to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. Any weight loss program for a person with diabetes should include a medically supervised diet and exercise program. This medication should not be used to promote weight loss in people who do not have type 2 diabetes.
Several weight-loss drugs have been approved by the FDA for people who are overweight or obese, including orlistat (Xenical, Alli), lorcaserin (Belviq), and liraglutide (Victoza 3-Pak, Victoza 2-Pak, Saxenda). However, these options should not replace diet and exercise.
For Type 1 Diabetes
Jardiance is not intended for use in people with type 1 diabetes. Instead, insulin is the main drug of choice for treating people with type 1 diabetes. According to Mayo Clinic, insulin drugs like Lantus (insulin glargine) and Levemir (insulin detemir) offer long-acting effects. Short-acting insulin drugs for people with type 1 diabetes include Humalog (insulin lispro) and NovoLog (insulin aspart).
For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Metformin may be a good alternative to Jardiance for patients with PCOS, especially if they are trying to become pregnant. This fact is because Jardiance is not recommended during most of pregnancy. Metformin can help manage insulin and blood sugar levels and promote weight loss, which–along with a healthy lifestyle–can help reduce infertility and improve other symptoms of PCOS.
For Prediabetes
Once again, metformin is considered the best medication for people with prediabetes. However, metformin should be prescribed alongside healthy lifestyle changes, including exercise, diet, weight loss, and smoking cessation. In short, this medication cannot handle prediabetes alone, and is only one part of a whole treatment plan.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
OVERVIEWDOSAGESIDE EFFECTSINTERACTIONSHALF-LIFE
Generic Name: Empagliflozin
Brands: Jardiance
Class: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
Availability: Prescription only (currently in the United States, no generic version is available)
Molecular Formula: C23H27ClO7
Substance UNII: HDC1R2M35U
What is Jardiance?
Jardiance is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is the brand name of the drug empagliflozin.
What is Jardiance Used For?
Jardiance is used for the treatment of diabetes. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jardiance can also help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people with type 2 diabetes who also have heart and blood vessel diseases.
How Does Jardiance Work?
Jardiance helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s meant to be used along with diet and exercise. It works by helping the kidneys send excess sugar out of the body through the urine.
How Long Does it Take for Jardiance to Work?
Jardiance may start to help lower blood sugar levels within 1 to 2 weeks. But studies suggest it may take up to 24 weeks for a person to get the full benefits of Jardiance.
Do Not Use Jardiance If:
There are several situations where this medication may not be the right choice for you. According to the FDA, the following should not use Jardiance:
- People with type 1 diabetes
- People with allergies or sensitivities to ingredients in Jardiance
- People with severe or end-stage kidney disease, including people who are on dialysis
- People with diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious health condition that can occur if high blood sugar is left untreated)
Please note that this list may not be complete, and there may be other situations where the use of this drug is not advisable.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
