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Compare Jardiance vs. Metformin

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

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Metformin are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and belong to different drug classes. 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. Metformin, a biguanide, lowers the amount of sugar your body makes and absorbs, and helps your body use insulin more effectively. Jardiance is taken once daily and is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected after 2025. Metformin, on the other hand, is available in both short-acting and long-acting generic forms and is typically taken once or twice daily. Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Metformin often causes stomach issues like diarrhea and nausea. Additionally, Jardiance can lead to dehydration and ketoacidosis, whereas Metformin carries a risk of lactic acidosis and low vitamin B12 levels.

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  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
    Metformin
  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
    Metformin

  • Summary of Jardiance vs. Metformin

    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 Biguanide
    Prescription only

    Immediate-release metformin is an oral diabetes medication. It's approved for people 10 years of age and older with Type 2 diabetes. The medication belongs to the drug class called biguanides. It works best to lower blood sugar levels with a diabetes-friendly diet and exercise plan. Immediate-release metformin comes as a tablet and an oral solution. You take this medication by mouth usually two to three times a day. It's recommended to take each dosage with food to help lessen side effects like diarrhea and nausea.

  • Indications of Jardiance vs. Metformin

    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 in people ages 10 years and older

  • Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Metformin

    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 Biguanide
    Pros
    •One of the first-choice options for Type 2 diabetes
    •Works well at lowering blood sugar levels (can lower your A1C by up to 1.5% in a few months)
    •Unlikely to cause weight gain
    •Available as a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing tablets
    Cons
    •Typically need to take a couple times per day
    •Can cause stomach upset, including diarrhea, nausea, gas, and stomach cramping
    •Not a good choice for people with severe kidney problems
    •Not recommended for people with liver problems

  • Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Metformin

    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 (53%)
    •Nausea or vomiting (26%)
    •Gas (12%)
    •Weakness (9%)

  • Warnings of Jardiance vs. Metformin

    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
    •Low vitamin B12 levels
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain other diabetes medications

  • Prices with our coupons for Jardiance vs. Metformin

    Learn more about Jardiance
    Learn more about Metformin

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