Jardiance (developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly) is a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor containing empagliflozin. SGLT2 is the primary transport protein responsible for reabsorbing glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the bloodstream in the proximal renal tubules of the kidneys.
By selectively inhibiting SGLT2, Jardiance reduces renal glucose reabsorption, lowering the renal threshold for glucose and promoting urinary glucose excretion (glycosuria). In addition to lowering blood glucose, this osmotic diuresis and natriuresis lead to modest reductions in blood pressure, body weight, and intraglomerular pressure, providing significant cardiorenal protective benefits.
Primary Medical Indications
Jardiance is indicated in adult patients for multiple major cardiometabolic and renal conditions:
-
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.
-
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
-
Heart Failure (HF): To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, across the full spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (both HFrEF and HFpEF).
-
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression.
Key Product Specifications & Dosing Forms
| Feature | Specification |
| Active Ingredient | Empagliflozin |
| Pharmacological Class | Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor |
| Available Formulations | Film-coated oral tablets |
| Common Strengths | 10 mg, 25 mg film-coated tablets |
| Standard Dosage | 10 mg once daily, taken in the morning with or without food. May be titrated up to 25 mg once daily if additional glycemic control is required |
| Renal Threshold | Not recommended for glycemic control if eGFR is less than 30 mL/min/1.73 $\text{m}^2$; however, benefits for heart failure and CKD extend to lower eGFR levels (down to 20 mL/min/1.73 $\text{m}^2$) |
Critical Safety Guidelines & Precautions
-
Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): SGLT2 inhibitors can cause DKA, a life-threatening condition that may present with normal or only moderately elevated blood glucose levels (less than 250 mg/dL). Withhold Jardiance immediately in patients experiencing severe metabolic acidosis, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Temporarily discontinue before planned surgical procedures.
-
Genitourinary Mycotic Infections: Increased urinary glucose concentration predisposes patients to vulvovaginal candidiasis in females and mycotic balanitis in males.
-
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene): A rare but serious, life-threatening bacterial infection of the perineal tissues reported in both female and male patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Immediate surgical and antibiotic intervention is required if pain, tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital/perineal area occurs alongside fever or malaise.
-
Volume Depletion & Hypotension: Osmotic diuresis may cause intravascular volume contraction and symptomatic hypotension, especially in elderly patients, those on loop diuretics, or individuals with impaired renal function.
-
Urinary Tract Infections: Serious UTIs, including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization, have been reported.
-
Not for Type 1 Diabetes: Jardiance is not indicated for type 1 diabetes mellitus due to an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.