What is Jardiance (Empagliflozin)?
Jardiance is an oral diabetes drug used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is a brand name for empagliflozin. T2D is a common condition that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it properly. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps glucose enter the cells of the body to be used for energy. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the body’s cells, leading to a buildup in the bloodstream. If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can lead to serious health complications, such as blindness, kidney, and nerve damage. People with T2D can take Jardiance to help lower high blood sugar levels. When this medication is taken, it works by inhibiting glucose reabsorption by the kidneys, which increases the excretion of glucose via urine. This, in turn, lowers high blood sugar levels in people with T2D.
How Does the Drug Work?
The medication is available with a doctor’s prescription and comes in the form of a tablet. The tablets can be used alone or in combination therapy to regulate blood sugar levels. Jardiance contains empagliflozin as the active substance and is classified as an SGLT2 inhibitor.
SGLT2 is a channel embedded in the nephron of the kidney. When blood sugar levels exceed 180-200 mg/dl, excess sugar is excreted into the urine because the kidneys cannot reabsorb it quickly enough. Naturally, without the drug, the kidneys filter and clean the blood; sugar is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. When the drug is given to patients with type II diabetes, it works by making the SGLT2 membrane less efficient at glucose reabsorption, therefore allowing more of the glucose to be excreted in the urine This results in glucose being excreted in the urine, effectively lowering blood sugar levels.Jardiance is also used to reduce the risk of death due to heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in individuals with type II diabetes and heart disease. It is worth mentioning that increasing glucose in the urine even more so than the diabetic individual had, does increase the risk of contracting an infection in the bladder,however, at common dosages, the benefit generally outweighs the risks. If an individual has had UTIs in the past, it may be considered as a relative contraindication, depending on the clinical context.
Uses of Jardiance During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Jardiance is in pregnancy category C according to the FDA, indicating that animal studies have shown adverse effects, though no conclusion has been made for humans. There aren’t sufficient studies conducted in pregnant women, so its use during pregnancy is highly discouraged. For breastfeeding women, it is not known if Jardiance passes through breast milk. Thus, the decision to use the drug should be made after weighing the potential benefits against expected Jardiance side effects.
Empagliflozin Shouldn’t be Used by the Following Individuals:
- Those with type I diabetes
- Those with diabetic ketoacidosis
- Those with seriously decreased kidney function
- Those with severe liver function
- Those allergic to any ingredient of the drug
- Children below 18 years
- Those with low fluid volume due to diarrhea or vomiting
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
