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

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they have some key differences. Jardiance is a single medication that belongs to a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class and is taken once daily. It helps lower blood sugar by causing your body to excrete excess sugar through urine and can also reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications. Invokamet, on the other hand, is a combination of two medications: canagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) and metformin (a biguanide). It is available in both immediate-release tablets taken twice daily and extended-release tablets taken once daily. While both medications can cause urinary tract infections and genital infections, Invokamet also has a risk of lowering vitamin B12 levels and causing bone fractures. Additionally, Jardiance is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected after 2025, whereas Invokamet is also brand-only. Both medications require a prescription and should be taken with a healthy diet and exercise.

Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Invokamet

(canagliflozin / metformin)

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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 Invokamet

Prescription only

Invokamet (canagliflozin / metformin) is a combination medication used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It's available as immediate-release tablets that are taken twice daily, as well as extended-release tablets that are taken once daily. This medication raises the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital infections.

Indications for Invokamet

Type 2 diabetes
To lower the risk of major heart events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
To lower the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, death due to heart problems, and worsening of kidney problems in certain adults with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease

Pros and Cons for Invokamet

Pros

Combines two medications into one pill
Available as an extended-release tablet that lasts throughout the day (Invokamet XR)
Can lower A1C (a blood test that measures your average sugar level over time) by up to 1.8% in people who aren't already taking either Invokana (canagliflozin) or metformin
Dose can be adjusted based on how well the medication is working for you

Cons

Might cause more urination
Can lower vitamin B12 levels
Raises the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), genital infections, and bone fractures
Only available as brand

Common Side Effects for Invokamet

Vaginal yeast infection in females (11-12%)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs; 4-6%)
More urination (5%)
Male genital yeast or fungal infections (4%)
Diarrhea (4%)

Warnings for Invokamet

Lactic acidosis
Leg and foot amputations
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
Severe allergic reactions
Bone fractures
Low vitamin B12 levels