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

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Glyburide are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that 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. Glyburide, on the other hand, is a sulfonylurea that lowers blood sugar by prompting your pancreas to release more insulin. Jardiance is taken once daily and is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected after 2025. Glyburide can be taken once or twice daily and is available in both generic and micronized forms. While Jardiance can cause urinary tract and yeast infections, Glyburide has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar and weight gain. Additionally, Jardiance is not recommended during the later stages of pregnancy, whereas glyburide's safety during pregnancy is not well-studied.

Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Glyburide

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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 Glyburide

Prescription only

Glyburide is taken by mouth to lower blood sugar levels for people who have Type 2 diabetes. This medication isn't meant to be taken alone, but in addition to eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise. Glyburide is typically taken once or twice daily, depending on your dose.

Indications for Glyburide

Type 2 diabetes

Pros and Cons for Glyburide

Pros

Usually taken only once daily with largest meal
Can lower A1C levels by 1.5%
Taken by mouth, so good option for people who don't like injections
Can be taken with some other blood sugar medications, such as metformin

Cons

Risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you have kidney or liver problems
More likely to cause low blood sugar than other blood sugar medications, such as metformin
Can cause some weight gain
Not approved for Type 1 diabetes