Jardiance vs. Afrezza for Diabetes Type 2: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Afrezza (insulin human inhaled are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct features. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken orally once a day for type 2 diabetes only, which helps lower blood sugar by causing your body to excrete excess sugar through urine. It also has benefits for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Afrezza, on the other hand, is a fast-acting insulin for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes that you inhale before meals to help your body absorb and store sugar from your bloodstream. Unlike Jardiance, Afrezza is not suitable for people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Jardiance can cause urinary tract and yeast infections, while Afrezza's common side effects include low blood sugar, cough, and throat irritation. Currently, Jardiance does not have a generic version available until at least 2025, whereas Afrezza is only available in its branded form.

Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Afrezza

(insulin)

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Summary for Jardiance

Prescription only

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a medication that's used along with a nutritious diet and routine exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the chance of serious complications, hospitalization, and death in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to the drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and weight loss.

Indications for Jardiance

Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older
Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure
Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Pros and Cons for Jardiance

Pros

Taken by mouth once a day
Unlikely to cause weight gain
Can take with other diabetes medications

Cons

Raises risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections
Might make you urinate more
Not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Jardiance

Urinary tract infection (UTI; 8-9%)
Vaginal yeast infection in females (5-6%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)
High cholesterol or fat levels (3-4%)
Urinating more than usual (3%)

Warnings for Jardiance

Ketoacidosis
Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)
Genital and urinary tract infections
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications
Leg and foot amputations
Allergic reactions

Summary for Afrezza

Prescription only

Afrezza is an ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin for adults with diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels from meals. You breathe in the medication through the mouth using the Afrezza inhaler usually at the start of meals. Common side effects are low blood sugar and cough. There's also a risk of bronchospasm (sudden narrowing of the airways), which can make it hard to breathe. So Afrezza (insulin) isn't for people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Indications for Afrezza

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

Pros and Cons for Afrezza

Pros

A good choice for people who don't want to use injectable insulin
Can help people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar
Starts to work in about 12 minutes and lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your dose

Cons

Might need to use more than one cartridge of insulin for your dose (if you need more than 12 units of insulin)
Not for people who smoke or for people with breathing problems (e.g., asthma, COPD)
Not approved for children

Common Side Effects for Afrezza

Low blood sugar (up to 67%)
Cough (up to 29%)
Throat pain or irritation (up to 6%)
Headache (up to 5%)

Warnings for Afrezza

Breathing problems
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Changes in blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Low potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications