Key takeaways
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) and glipizide (Glucotrol XL) are both oral medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, they belong to different medication classes and work in distinct ways. Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps lower blood sugar by preventing sugar reabsorption in the kidneys, while glipizide is a sulfonylurea that stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin. Empagliflozin is also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of heart-related complications and worsening kidney problems in certain adults, whereas glipizide is only approved for Type 2 diabetes. Empagliflozin is typically taken once daily in the morning, while glipizide can be taken once or twice daily, depending on the formulation. Empagliflozin does not have a generic version available, while glipizide is available as a lower-cost generic. Common side effects of empagliflozin include urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination, whereas glipizide can cause low blood sugar and weight gain. Both medications have a risk of low blood sugar, and the risk is higher when combined with other diabetes medications.
