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Jardiance vs. Wegovy

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

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are both medications that can help with conditions related to Type 2 diabetes and heart health, but they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken orally once a day, primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications. It can also cause weight loss as a side effect, though it is not approved for weight loss. Common side effects include urinary tract infections and yeast infections. On the other hand, Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist injected once weekly, specifically approved for long-term weight management in adults and children with a high body mass index (BMI), and to lower the risk of heart problems in adults with heart disease. Wegovy's common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Both Jardiance and Wegovy are available only as brand-name medications. Both medications can interact with diabetes medications, with an increased risk for low blood sugar.

Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Wegovy

(semaglutide)

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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

Common Side Effects for Jardiance

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 Wegovy

Prescription only

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It comes in prefilled pens you use to inject the medication under the skin once a week. Wegovy (semaglutide) also comes as tablets that are swallowed once a day. This medication is approved for weight loss in some people. It can help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. The pens are also approved for certain adults with a liver problem called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The medication works best when taken with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Indications for Wegovy

Injectable pens:

Tablets:

Pros and Cons for Wegovy

Pros

  • Available as once-weekly injectable pens and as once-daily pills
  • Injectable pens approved for weight loss in children ages 12 years and older considered obese

Cons

Common Side Effects for Wegovy

  • Nausea (44%)
  • Diarrhea (30%)
  • Vomiting (24%)
  • Constipation (24%)
  • Stomach pain (20%)
  • Headache (14%)
  • Tiredness (11%)

Warnings for Wegovy

  • Possible risk for thyroid cancer
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Low blood sugar
  • Kidney damage
  • Allergic reactions
  • Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
  • Faster heart rate
  • Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation

Prices with our coupons for Jardiance vs. Wegovy

Price Card Drug Icon
Jardiance30 tablets / 10mg
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Wegovy30 tablets / 1.5mg
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