If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Jardiance (empagliflozin) as a treatment option for you.

Jardiance is a prescription medication that’s used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It’s used along with diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels.

Jardiance is also used to help lower the risk for death in people with both type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease.

It’s important to note that Jardiance shouldn’t be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, a buildup of acid caused by high blood sugar levels.

Jardiance comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. It belongs to a group of medications called sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

This article describes the dosages of Jardiance, including its form, strengths, and how to take the drug. To learn more about Jardiance, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Jardiance’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Jardiance, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

Jardiance is used in adults with type 2 diabetes. Below are details about its form, strengths, and dosages.

What is Jardiance’s form?

Jardiance comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth.

Available strengths of Jardiance (10 mg, 25 mg)

Jardiance is available in two strengths: 10 milligram (mg) and 25 mg.

What are the typical dosages of Jardiance?

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. They will go over the dosing instructions with you. In some cases, they may adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly taken or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The starting dosage of Jardiance is 10 mg taken by mouth once each day. If your blood sugar is not well managed with this, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to the maximum: 25 mg taken once daily.

Below is a dosage chart for Jardiance:

Starting dosageMaximum dosage
10 mg once daily25 mg once daily

You should always follow the dosing guidelines that your doctor recommends for you.

Is Jardiance used long term?

Yes, Jardiance is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Jardiance is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.

Whether you’re just starting your Jardiance treatment or have been taking it for a while, you may have some questions about the drug’s dosage. Keep reading for the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Could I be prescribed a daily dosage of 50 milligrams (mg) of Jardiance?

It’s not likely. The maximum recommended dosage of Jardiance is 25 mg taken once daily. It’s not known if 50 mg of Jardiance is safe or effective because studies only looked at a maximum dosage of 25 mg.

It’s important to always take the dosage of Jardiance that your doctor prescribes. You shouldn’t change your dosage unless your doctor recommends it.

If you have questions about the maximum dosage of Jardiance or your current dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Jardiance used for weight loss? If so, what’s the dosage?

No, Jardiance isn’t used for weight loss. There is no recommended dosage for weight loss because this isn’t an approved use of the drug.

However, if you have type 2 diabetes and are taking Jardiance, you may lose weight. In studies, people taking Jardiance reported weight loss. However, they may have also been taking other medications that could have contributed to weight loss.

Not everyone taking Jardiance will lose weight. Losing weight may depend on your dosage, other medications you’re taking, and your diet and exercise regimens.

If you have questions or concerns about Jardiance and weight loss, talk with your doctor.

I heard about a drug called Jardiance Duo. How does the dosage compare with Jardiance?

Jardiance Duo is a combination tablet that contains empagliflozin (the active drug in Jardiance) and metformin.

Jardiance Duo may be approved for use in other countries, but it’s not available in the United States. So it doesn’t have equivalent dosages to those of Jardiance, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you have any questions about the best treatment for your type 2 diabetes, talk with your doctor.

Don’t take more Jardiance than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Jardiance

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Jardiance. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use their online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you miss a dose of Jardiance, take your dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. You shouldn’t take two Jardiance tablets at once to try to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk for side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Jardiance on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm, downloading a reminder app, or setting a timer on your phone. A kitchen timer can work, too.

If you miss your dose and are unsure when to take your next one, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine when to take your next dose.

The dosage of Jardiance you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re using Jardiance to treat
  • how well your blood sugar levels respond to Jardiance
  • other medications you take

Jardiance comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. It should be taken once each morning. You can take your dose of Jardiance with or without food.

Be sure to take your Jardiance as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may also recommend:

  • having your blood sugar levels tested regularly
  • following a certain diet or exercise plan to help manage your blood sugar
  • taking other medications that help manage your blood sugar and treat diabetes

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Jardiance for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Jardiance without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Jardiance exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Is my Jardiance dosage affected by my other diabetes medications?
  • Which dosage of Jardiance is best for me?
  • Will my dosage be affected if I become pregnant?
  • Do I have a higher risk for side effects with a higher dose of Jardiance?

To learn more about type 2 diabetes and its treatment options, sign up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter.

Q:

I have kidney disease. Is there a special dosage of Jardiance I should take?

Anonymous patient

A:

No, there’s no special dosage of Jardiance for people with kidney disease. But if your kidneys aren’t working well enough, it’s not safe for you to take this drug.

Before you start taking Jardiance, your doctor may order a lab test called glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to determine how well your kidneys are working.

Your body gets rid of Jardiance using your kidneys. If your kidneys aren’t working well enough, your body may not be able to clear the medication from your system. This could raise your risk for side effects of Jardiance.

If your GFR is too low, your doctor won’t prescribe Jardiance for you. If your GFR becomes too low during your Jardiance treatment, your doctor will have you stop taking the medication.

If you have questions about using Jardiance with kidney disease, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.