If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may talk with you about Rybelsus (semaglutide) or Jardiance (empagliflozin). Both of these drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.
To learn about each drug’s specific uses, see the “What are Rybelsus and Jardiance used for?” section below.
Keep reading to learn more about how Rybelsus and Jardiance compare.
You may wonder whether Rybelsus or Jardiance is available as a generic.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
To find out whether Rybelsus or Jardiance is available as a generic, see the list below.
- Rybelsus:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: semaglutide
- Jardiance:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: empagliflozin
Rybelsus and Jardiance are both prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes when used with a balanced diet and exercise. Jardiance has other uses as well.
See the table below for details on the conditions each drug treats or prevents.
| Condition treated or prevented | Rybelsus | Jardiance |
| help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
| lower the risk for death in adults with both type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease | ✓ | |
| lower the risk for death or hospitalization in adults with heart failure | ✓ |
To learn more about using Rybelsus or Jardiance to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Here’s an overview of the dosage and how you’ll take Rybelsus and Jardiance for the conditions they both treat or prevent. The available strengths and doses of each drug are listed in milligrams (mg).
Jardiance is also used to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from heart disease in certain people, but this use isn’t addressed below. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat or prevent, see the articles for Rybelsus and Jardiance.
Dosage for managing blood sugar levels
| Rybelsus for managing blood sugar levels | Jardiance for managing blood sugar levels | |
| Forms | tablet that you swallow | tablet that you swallow |
| Strengths | • 3 mg • 7 mg • 14 mg | • 10 mg • 25 mg |
| Dose | 3 mg to 14 mg | 10 mg to 25 mg |
| How often to take | once per day | once per day |
Rybelsus and Jardiance have some similar side effects and others that vary.
For more information about possible side effects, see the side effect articles on Rybelsus and Jardiance.
Mild side effects
Rybelsus and Jardiance may cause mild side effects in some people. The table below lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Rybelsus | Jardiance | |
| pain in the abdomen (belly) | ✓ | |
| constipation | ✓ | |
| decreased appetite | ✓ | |
| diarrhea | ✓ | |
| genital yeast infection | ✓ | |
| nausea or vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| urinary tract infection (UTI) | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Rybelsus prescribing information and Jardiance prescribing information.
Serious side effects
In addition to the mild side effects described above, serious side effects may occur in people taking Rybelsus or Jardiance. See the table below for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Rybelsus | Jardiance | |
| allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| dehydration | ✓ | |
| Fournier’s gangrene | ✓ | |
| gallbladder problems | ✓ | |
| diabetic ketoacidosis | ✓ | |
| kidney damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| low blood sugar | ✓ | |
| pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) | ✓ | |
| serious UTI or genital infections | ✓ | |
| thyroid cancer* | ✓ | |
| worsening of eye problems caused by diabetes | ✓ |
* Rybelsus has a
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Rybelsus and Jardiance.
Is Rybelsus a better treatment option than Jardiance, or vice versa?
Rybelsus and Jardiance are both used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies of Rybelsus and Jardiance have shown that the drugs are effective for this use.
But Rybelsus and Jardiance do have some differences. For example, they belong to different drug classes and can cause different side effects. Because of this, one of them may be a better choice for you, depending on your specific health factors.
If you’re considering treatment with Rybelsus or Jardiance, talk with your doctor about your health history. Ask whether one of these drugs may be a better option for you.
Can I take Rybelsus and Jardiance together?
In some cases, yes. Rybelsus and Jardiance work differently to help manage blood sugar levels. Because of this, your doctor may prescribe both drugs for you. Using Rybelsus and Jardiance together can be more effective for your condition and cause fewer side effects than taking either drug alone. But it’s not common for these drugs to be prescribed together.
If you’re interested in learning more about taking these drugs together, talk with your doctor.
You may wonder whether Rybelsus and Jardiance are effective for your condition.
Rybelsus and Jardiance are both used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies of Rybelsus and Jardiance have shown that both drugs are effective for this use. In addition, the American Diabetes Association includes both drugs in its treatment recommendations for type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to note that your results from Rybelsus or Jardiance may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Rybelsus and Jardiance when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Rybelsus and Jardiance may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start taking Rybelsus or Jardiance, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Rybelsus has a
In animal studies, Rybelsus has been shown to cause thyroid cancer. But it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. So it’s not known whether Rybelsus can cause thyroid cancer in humans.
Due to this potential risk, doctors usually don’t prescribe Rybelsus to people with a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid tumors or cancer.
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Rybelsus and Jardiance have other warnings.
Before taking Rybelsus or Jardiance, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for Rybelsus:
- if you have a history of pancreatitis or gallbladder problems
- if you have eye problems caused by diabetes
- Warnings for Jardiance:
- if you’re on dialysis
- if you’ve had urinary tract infections (UTIs) or genital yeast infections
- if you have risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis
- Warnings for both Rybelsus and Jardiance:
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you also use insulin or take medications called insulin secretagogues (drugs that help your body release insulin)
- if you have kidney problems
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: If your current medication is working for you, your doctor likely won’t have you switch drugs. But if you’re having bothersome side effects or feel that your current treatment isn’t working well, talk with your doctor. Ask if switching between Rybelsus and Jardiance is right for you.
Reminder: You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
If you have questions about Rybelsus or Jardiance, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Would Rybelsus or Jardiance be more effective for me?
- Do any of my health factors make Rybelsus or Jardiance a better option for me?
- Am I a good candidate to take both drugs?
- Are there any financial resources that would make one medication more affordable than the other?
To learn more about Rybelsus, see these articles:
And to learn more about Jardiance, see these articles
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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.