Key takeaways
Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Synjardy (empagliflozin / metformin) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of heart problems in adults with this condition. They both contain empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, which helps lower blood sugar by causing your body to get rid of excess sugar through urine. However, Synjardy also includes metformin, a biguanide that lowers the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps your body use insulin better. Jardiance is taken once daily, while Synjardy can be taken once or twice daily, depending on the formulation. Jardiance is available only as a brand-name medication. Synjardy is also only available as a brand-name medication and comes in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. Common side effects of both medications include urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination, but Synjardy can also cause diarrhea and nausea due to the metformin component. Additionally, Synjardy has a risk of lactic acidosis, a serious condition related to metformin, which Jardiance does not have. Both medications can interact with other diabetes medications, potentially causing low blood sugar.
