Key Points

• Yes, Jardiance can help patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight, but this is not an approved use. In 24-week clinical studies in adults, weight loss with Jardiance treatment alone was found to be statistically significant and ranged between a 2% and 3% weight loss.
• Jardiance is not FDA approved to be used for weight loss in patients without type 2 diabetes.
• In clinical trials, Jardiance also led to statistically significant reductions in A1C and fasting plasma glucose, measures of blood sugar control, when compared to an inactive placebo. Jardiance is classified as an SGLT-2 inhibitors and carries a low risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

In studies, adult patients taking the 10 mg dose of Jardiance (empagliflozin) had an average weight loss of 2.8% from their baseline weight (their weight at the start of the study). Those receiving the 25 mg tablet had an average weight loss of 3.2% of their baseline weight. The group who received an inactive placebo had a weight loss of 0.4%.

• As an example, in a 200 lb (91 kg) person, a 2.8% loss weight with the 10 mg dose is equal to roughly 5.6 lbs (2.6 kg).
• A 3.2% weight loss in a 200 lb (91 kg) person taking the 25 mg dose is about a 6.4 lb (2.9 kg) weight loss.

What is Jardiance approved for?

Jardiance is used to help control glucose (blood sugar) in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes. Jardiance is also FDA-approved to lower the risk of cardiovascular (heart-related) death in adults with heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure (when the heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to the body) in adults with heart failure.

Jardiance is an oral tablet taken once-a-day and is used in addition to diet and exercise. Your doctor may adjust your dose so always follow their directions.

Jardiance can be added to other medicines for type 2 diabetes such as metformin, sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, and insulin. In children, metformin is the only other approved oral medicine for type 2 diabetes.

Jardiance, classified as a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly.

Will I still lose weight if I take Jardiance with metformin?

Yes, you may achieve weight loss if you are taking metformin in combination with Jardiance. In a 24-week long clinical study with over 600 adults, Jardiance given as add-on therapy to metformin significantly improved weight loss. These patients were not adequately controlled on metformin alone.

Table 1. Weight changes for Jardiance when used with metformin

Weight loss was also significant when Jardiance was used with metformin and a sulfonylurea in a study over 24-weeks long.

How does Jardiance affect my blood pressure?

Jardiance is not specifically FDA-approved to reduce blood pressure, but a positive effect was seen in clinical trials. Blood pressure was lowered whether Jardiance was used alone (as monotherapy) or with metformin.

• When used alone, the systolic blood pressure (the top number) was statistically significantly reduced compared to placebo by -2.6 mmHg in patients taking the 10 mg dose of Jardiance.
• In adult patients taking the 25 mg dose of Jardiance, systolic blood pressure was reduced by -3.4 mmHg.

Important side effects with Jardiance

Jardiance is usually well-tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, as with all drugs, there are important side effects you should review with your doctor.

Serious side effects:

• allergic reactions
• dehydration
• increased cholesterol levels
• ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood or urine)
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• necrotizing fasciitis (a rare, serious tissue infection around the anus and genitals)
• sudden kidney injury
• urinary tract infections
• increased cholesterol

In studies in children 10 years and older, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) was higher with Jardiance whether or not they used insulin. Otherwise, the safety profile of treated children was similar to that observed in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Common side effects (5% or more of patients):

• urinary tract infections
• yeast infections

Bottom Line

• Jardiance can lead to moderate weight loss in adults when taken alone or when combined with other medications, including metformin or a sulfonylurea. Overall, patients could lose 2% to 3% of their weight, although this is variable and can be affected by many factors, such as diet and exercise.
• Jardiance can also have a positive effect on heart (cardiovascular) outcomes in adults and lower the risk for a heart-related death. Positive effects on blood pressure, kidney health, weight goals, and risks for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may also be seen.
• Overall, Jardiance is a well-tolerated, once daily oral treatment for type 2 diabetes, often used as an add-on treatment to metformin. However, common side effects can occur, including genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Be sure to discuss all possible side effects with your doctor.

This is not all the information you need to know about Jardiance for safe and effective use and does not replace your doctor's advice. Review the full Jardiance information here, and speak to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns before you start treatment.