Jardiance and metformin help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Doctors commonly prescribe these medications together.
Jardiance (empagliflozin) and metformin are prescription medications. Doctors recommend them along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s usually safe to take these medications together.
Empagliflozin (the active ingredient in Jardiance) and metformin are also available in a combination medication called Synjardy. To learn more about Synjardy, see the “Frequently asked questions about Jardiance and metformin” section below.
Keep reading to find out why your doctor may recommend taking Jardiance and metformin together.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe metformin to help manage your blood sugar levels. In many cases, one medication may not help lower your blood sugar enough. So your doctor may prescribe a combination of two medications to better manage your condition. One such combination is metformin and Jardiance.
Metformin and Jardiance are approved to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Doctors typically recommend these medications together with diet and exercise.
Jardiance is approved for other uses. These include:
- lowering the risk of death and hospitalization for adults with heart failure
- lowering the risk of severe complications for adults with chronic kidney disease
- lowering the risk of death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart and blood vessel disease
Your doctor may recommend taking Jardiance and metformin together to help manage blood sugar levels.
Effectiveness for managing blood sugar levels
Some
Doctors use the A1C test to determine how well your treatment plan is working to manage your type 2 diabetes. A1C is a measurement that reflects your average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. According to the American Diabetes Association, the A1C goal for most adults with diabetes is less than 7%.
For example, a
After 24 weeks of treatment, the group that took Jardiance and metformin had a larger reduction in A1C than the groups that took either drug on its own. Also, after 24 weeks, more people in the combination group reached an A1C of less than 7% compared to the other groups.
How do these drugs work
Metformin belongs to a group of medications called biguanides. It helps lower blood sugar levels by:
- decreasing glucose (sugar) production in your liver
- reducing intestinal absorption of sugar
- enhancing insulin sensitivity
Jardiance belongs to a group of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. To help lower blood sugar, Jardiance works by causing the kidneys to remove more sugar from your blood. Then, your body eliminates the extra sugar via your urine.
Metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Jardiance, are included in the American Diabetes Association’s treatment guidelines for managing type 2 diabetes. Talk with your doctor to determine whether one or both of these medications may be suitable for you.
Jardiance comes as an oral tablet that you’ll swallow. It’s typically taken once per day. The best time to take Jardiance is in the morning, with or without food.
Metformin comes as an immediate-release oral tablet, extended-release oral tablet, and oral solution. (Extended-release tablets work over a certain period of time after you take them.) All of these forms are taken by mouth. Metformin is usually taken once or twice per day with meals. Note that you should not split, crush, or chew the extended-release form of metformin. You should swallow it whole.
It is safe to take Jardiance and metformin at the same time.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on taking this form of medication.
To learn more about the recommended dosages of Jardiance, see this article. Check this article for more information about metformin’s dosages.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their treatment with Jardiance and metformin. To learn more about Jardiance’s side effects, see this article. For more information about metformin’s side effects, check this article.
Mild side effects
Mild side effects have been reported with Jardiance. These commonly include:
- urinary tract infection
- vaginal yeast infection
- nausea
- urinating more often than usual or making more urine than usual
Mild side effects have been reported with metformin. These commonly include:
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- gas
- abdominal pain
- indigestion
- weakness
- headache
- weight loss
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And you may be able to manage some of them easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking these drugs unless your doctor recommends it.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects that have been reported with Jardiance include:
- dehydration (low fluid level), which can cause dizziness or weakness
- ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body)
- kidney damage
- low blood pressure
- Fournier’s gangrene
Serious side effects that have been reported with metformin include:
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- vitamin B12 deficiency (decreased vitamin B12 level)
- boxed warning: lactic acidosis (see the “Boxed warning: Lactic acidosis” section below for details)
If you develop serious side effects while taking Jardiance or metformin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Allergic reactionFor some people, Jardiance or metformin can cause an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions have been reported with Jardiance, but this side effect wasn’t seen in the drug’s studies. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies of metformin.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking these drugs.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to either drug, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Boxed warning: Lactic acidosis
Metformin has a boxed warning about the risk of lactic acidosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. With lactic acidosis, there is a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. Although rare, lactic acidosis is possible when taking metformin and can be serious or even life threatening.
If you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis, you should get treatment right away. Potential signs and symptoms include:
- muscle pain
- abdominal pain
- trouble breathing
- sleepiness
Other medical conditions or factors can increase your risk of developing lactic acidosis. Examples include:
- kidney or liver problems
- people ages 65 years or older
- drinking large amounts of alcohol
- receiving imaging, such as a CT scan, with contrast dye
- taking other medications, such as topiramate (Topamax)
If you have any of these risk factors, your doctor will likely monitor you more closely during metformin treatment. They’ll also suggest steps for lowering your risk. Examples include avoiding or limiting alcohol use and temporarily stopping metformin before surgery or contrast imaging.
If you have questions about metformin and lactic acidosis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about Jardiance and metformin.
How do Jardiance and metformin compare with Synjardy?
These medications are very similar. Synjardy is a brand-name medication that contains both metformin and empagliflozin, which is the active ingredient of Jardiance. Synjardy is approved to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.
Synjardy is available as an immediate-release oral tablet. It is also available as an extended-release oral tablet under the name Synjardy XR. Note that Synjardy XR is only approved for use in adults.
Some people may prefer taking Synjardy because it may reduce the total number of pills they have to swallow each day, compared to taking Jardiance and metformin separately. There may also be cost differences to consider.
If you have questions about whether Synjardy is the right medication for you, talk with your doctor.
Are there certain foods to avoid while taking Jardiance or metformin?
However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor will likely recommend avoiding or limiting alcoholic beverages while taking Jardiance and/or metformin. Consuming alcohol with either medication can raise the risk of side effects. Alcohol may also affect blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to manage type 2 diabetes.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about what to eat or drink while taking these medications.
Can Jardiance or metformin be used for weight loss?
No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Jardiance ot metformin for weight loss. But weight loss can be a side effect of both medications.
Doctors may prescribe Jardiance or metformin off-label for weight loss. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you would like to know more about managing your weight with metformin or Jardiance.
Jardiance and metformin are two medications used along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is usually safe to take these medications together. Some research has found that taking these two medications together can lead to better management of blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes compared to taking either medication by itself.
The active ingredients are also sold together under the brand name Synjardy.
Your doctor can help you decide whether you can benefit from taking metformin, Jardiance, or both.