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Compare Jardiance vs. Janumet

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Janumet (sitagliptin/metformin) 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 remove excess sugar through urine. It is taken once daily and can also reduce the risk of heart failure and chronic kidney disease complications. Janumet combines two medications: sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide. It works by improving insulin function and reducing sugar production and absorption in the body. Janumet is taken either twice daily (immediate-release) or once daily (extended-release). Jardiance is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected by 2025, while Janumet will have generics available by 2026. Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections, whereas Janumet often causes diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections. Both medications can be taken together for better blood sugar control, but you should always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin)
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin)
Summary of Jardiance vs. Janumet
Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
Prescription only
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name 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.
Summary for DPP-4 inhibitor / Biguanide
Prescription only
Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin) is a combination prescription medication that helps improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It contains two diabetes medications from different drug classes: sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and metformin (a biguanide). Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin) is used as an add-on to diet and exercise. Immediate-release tablets (Janumet) are taken by mouth twice daily, and extended-release tablets (Janumet XR) are taken just once daily. Side effects include diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
Indications of Jardiance vs. Janumet
Indications for

•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)

Indications for

•Type 2 diabetes
Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Janumet
Pros and Const for SGLT2 inhibitor
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

Pros and Const for DPP-4 inhibitor / Biguanide
Pros

•Combines the effects of two medications into one tablet

•Lowered A1C by up to 2% in a 6-month clinical study

•Might be a good option for additional blood sugar control for people who don't like injections (such as with insulin)

•Less likely to cause weight gain and low blood sugar compared to other diabetes medications

Cons

•Not yet available as a lower-cost generic

•Must take with meals

•Only available as a fixed dose, so can be hard to make dose adjustments

•Side effects more likely if you're 65 years or older

•Not a good option for people with severe kidney problems
Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Janumet
Common Side Effects for

•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%)

Common Side Effects for

•Diarrhea (8%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (6%)

•Headache (6%)
Warnings of Jardiance vs. Janumet
Common Side Effects for

•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

Common Side Effects for

•Lactic acidosis

•Pancreas problems

•Heart failure

•Sudden kidney problems

•Low vitamin B12 levels

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

•Joint pain

•Severe skin reaction

•Severe allergic reaction
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Compare Jardiance vs. Janumet

Key takeaways

Summary of Jardiance vs. Janumet

Indications of Jardiance vs. Janumet

Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Janumet

Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Janumet

Warnings of Jardiance vs. Janumet

Prices with our coupons for Jardiance vs. Janumet

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