Jardiance side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jardiance oral tablet to:

• manage blood sugar levels in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes, together with lifestyle changes including diet and exercise
• lower the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease
• lower the risk of death due to heart problems and hospitalization due to heart failure and in adults with heart failure
• lower certain risks, including the risk of worsening kidney function, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems, in certain adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

This article describes possible side effects of Jardiance oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Jardiance, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Jardiance is a brand-name medication that comes as a tablet that you swallow. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Jardiance.

More common side effects of Jardiance

Jardiance oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Jardiance oral tablet include:

• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• genital yeast infection*
• urinating more frequently
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Jardiance in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Jardiance

Jardiance may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Jardiance oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• genital yeast infection*
• increased thirst
• joint pain
• nausea
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• UTI
• urinating more frequently
• mild allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Jardiance in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Jardiance oral tablet. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but has happened since Jardiance was approved for use.

Jardiance oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Jardiance

Jardiance may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Jardiance oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Jardiance.

Serious side effects of Jardiance oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• dehydration
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• Fournier’s gangrene*
• kidney damage*
• increased risk for lower limb amputation
• low blood pressure
• low blood sugar, when Jardiance is used with certain other medications for treating diabetes
• serious UTI
• severe allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Jardiance in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Jardiance oral tablet. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but has happened since Jardiance was approved for use.

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Side effects of Jardiance in children

For children, doctors prescribe Jardiance oral tablet to manage blood sugar in those who have type 2 diabetes. The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 10 years and older.

In studies, low blood sugar was more common in children than in adults.

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Jardiance oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of Jardiance

Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of Jardiance oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Jardiance cause eye-related side effects?

No, it’s not thought so. Eye-related side effects weren’t reported in people taking Jardiance in the drug’s clinical studies.

But keep in mind that high blood sugar can cause eye-related problems (including diabetic retinopathy) when left unmanaged in people with diabetes. Jardiance may be prescribed to manage high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your eye health.

Will Jardiance 10 mg cause fewer side effects than Jardiance 25 mg?

It’s possible. In general, lower strengths of a drug are less likely to cause side effects compared to higher strengths. But any dose of Jardiance can cause side effects.

In studies of Jardiance, some side effects, like upper respiratory tract infections, were more common in people taking a 25-mg dose compared to a 10-mg dose. But there are also side effects, such as UTIs, that were more common in people taking a 10-mg dose compared to a 25-mg dose.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your specific risk of side effects if you take Jardiance oral tablet, including how your dosage may affect this risk.

Is weight loss a possible side effect of Jardiance?

Maybe, although the amount would be small. In studies, people taking Jardiance oral tablet reported losing a slight amount of weight compared to people who took a placebo (a treatment with no active drug). But it’s not clear whether the weight loss was due to Jardiance or other factors, such as diet and exercise.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your weight.

How do side effects of Jardiance in females compare with those seen in males?

Side effects of Jardiance oral tablet in females* and males* are expected to be the same, according to the drug’s studies. There are noted differences in side effect frequency, though. Genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections can occur in anyone taking Jardiance oral tablet, but these infections were more common in females than males in studies. It’s important to note, that these types of infections are more common in females than males in general.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your specific risk of side effects if you take Jardiance.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Does Jardiance cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases Jardiance oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time, and may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Jardiance oral tablet include:

• increased risk for lower limb amputation
• kidney damage*

*To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Jardiance in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Jardiance may last.

Side effects of Jardiance in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Jardiance oral tablet.

Kidney damage

In studies, kidney damage was rare in people taking Jardiance oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.

Specifically, sudden kidney injury was reported in studies of Jardiance oral tablet. With sudden kidney injury, your kidneys abruptly lose the ability to get rid of excess fluid, waste, and salts from your blood. Getting rid of these products is the main function of your kidneys. Sudden kidney injury may develop over a few hours to a few weeks.

Symptoms may include:

• slow, sluggish movements
• swelling or fluid retention in your body
• bad breath
• bloody stools
• pain between your ribs and hips

Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney damage with Jardiance oral tablet. These include:

• dehydration (having too little fluid in your body)
• having an existing kidney problem
• being age 65 years or older
• taking a loop diuretic, such as furosemide (Lasix)

Ways to manage

If you experience mild symptoms of kidney damage, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with Jardiance. They’ll also want to examine your symptoms in person as soon as possible and begin treating them.

If you develop symptoms of kidney damage that feel severe or life threatening, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room right away.

Genital yeast infection

In studies, genital yeast infection was common in people taking Jardiance oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

Genital yeast infection caused by treatment with Jardiance oral tablet can occur in males* or females*. But in studies, this side effect was more common in females. It’s also important to note that these types of infections are more common in females than males in general.

Symptoms of a genital yeast infection include:

• thick white discharge
• itchiness
• rash or redness
• pain or soreness

Certain factors can increase the risk of genital yeast infection with Jardiance oral tablet. These include having had one or more genital yeast infections in the past.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of a genital yeast infection, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment to check for an infection. If needed, they can recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal drug to treat your infection.

Fournier’s gangrene

Fournier’s gangrene didn’t occur in studies, but has been reported since Jardiance was approved. This side effect is rare, but it is a serious, life threatening medical emergency.

Fournier’s gangrene is an infection that destroys skin and tissue on your genitals and nearby areas.

Symptoms may include any of the following in or around your genitals:

• sudden, severe pain
• swelling
• skin patches that appear reddish-purple or blue-gray
• a strong, rotten smell from the affected area
• high fever

Without treatment, the infection may spread to other areas of the body and can cause organ failure.

Ways to manage

Fournier’s gangrene is a life threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If you experience the symptoms described above, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. You’ll receive treatment, which will likely include surgery and antibiotics. Your doctor will also stop your treatment with Jardiance oral tablet.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Jardiance oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but has happened since Jardiance was approved for use.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Jardiance oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for Jardiance

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Jardiance oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Jardiance oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Jardiance oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Jardiance oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• history of genital yeast infections or UTIs
• kidney condition, such as CKD
• low blood pressure
• use of insulin or a sulfonylurea drug, such as glipizide
• past allergic reaction to Jardiance

Jardiance and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Jardiance oral tablet should be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. But it’s not recommended to take Jardiance oral tablet during the second or third pregnancy trimester.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Jardiance and breastfeeding

Jardiance oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Jardiance.

Jardiance and alcohol

Jardiance oral tablet isn’t known to interact with alcohol.

But if you have side effects from Jardiance, drinking alcohol could worsen them. Examples include dehydration and diabetic ketoacidosis.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Jardiance.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Jardiance oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do the side effects of Jardiance compare with Farxiga?
• Does Jardiance cause different side effects if it’s taken together with metformin?
• If I’m prescribed Jardiance and also use insulin for my diabetes, how should I monitor for low blood sugar as a side effect?
• If I have side effects from Jardiance but it’s working for my blood sugar, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.