Empagliflozin
Empagliflozin
Empagliflozin
Empagliflozin, sold under the trade name Jardiance among others, is a medication used together with
diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. It is less preferred than metformin and sulfonylureas. It may
be used together with other medications such as metformin or insulin. It is not recommended for type 1
diabetes. It is taken by mouth.
Mechanism of action
Medical use
Type 2 diabetes
Empagliflozin is used in combination with proper diet and exercise to help people with type 2 diabetes
lower their blood sugar levels. It can be used alongside other medications for type 2 diabetes such as
metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin. When compared against a placebo, empagliflozin led to a drop of
0.7% in hemoglobin A1c, a long-term marker of blood glucose levels.
Side Effects:
Common side effects include urinary tract infections, fungal infections of the groin, and joint pains.
Rarer but more serious side effects include a skin infection of the groin called Fournier's gangrene and a
form of diabetic ketoacidosis with normal blood sugar levels. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not
recommended. Use is not recommended in those with significant kidney disease, though it may help
slow the progression of mild kidney problems. Empagliflozin is an inhibitor of the sodium glucose co-
transporter-2 (SGLT-2), and works by increasing sugar lost in the urine.