Compare Jardiance vs. Onglyza

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Onglyza (saxagliptin) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes and work in distinct ways. 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. Onglyza, on the other hand, is a DPP-4 inhibitor that works by blocking a protein that breaks down hormones responsible for insulin production, thus helping insulin stay in your body longer. Jardiance is taken once daily in the morning, while Onglyza can be taken at any time of day. Jardiance is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected in 2025, whereas Onglyza is available in a lower-cost generic form. Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Onglyza may cause upper respiratory infections and headaches. Additionally, Jardiance can lead to weight loss, whereas Onglyza does not significantly affect weight.