Empagliflozin

Diabetes

Also known as Jardiance

Empagliflozin treats type 2 diabetes in an unusual way: it makes your kidneys send extra sugar out in your urine. That lowers blood sugar and has also been shown to protect the heart and kidneys. The trade-off is honest and predictable — sugar in your urine feeds yeast and bacteria, so genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections are the classic side effects.

How to take it

When

Once daily in the morning, exactly as prescribed.

Food

With or without food — either is fine. Drink plenty of fluids, since you'll be peeing more.

Avoid

Getting dehydrated. Extra peeing plus hot weather, illness, or diuretics can leave you dizzy or lightheaded, especially when standing up.

Before surgery

Your doctor may have you stop this medicine a few days before a planned surgery or procedure — always mention you take it.

Missed a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's close to your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take a double dose.

Common side effects

Genital yeast infections (itching, discharge) — more common in women but men get them too
Urinary tract infections
Peeing more often
Dizziness or lightheadedness from fluid loss
Increased thirst

Call a doctor if

Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, unusual tiredness, or deep fast breathing — this can be ketoacidosis, which can happen even when your sugar looks near normal. Get help now.
Severe pain, swelling, redness, or fever in the genital or rectal area — this is rare but can be a life-threatening infection. Go to the emergency room.
Signs of a kidney infection: fever, back pain, and burning when you pee — call your doctor right away.
Feeling faint or unable to keep fluids down — call your doctor; you may need to pause the medicine until you recover.

Educational only. This summary is drawn from public FDA labeling and MedlinePlus and simplified for readability. Your prescription label and your pharmacist always come first — doses and instructions vary from person to person.