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Compare Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

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

Key takeaways

Rybelsus (semaglutide) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are both oral medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct mechanisms of action. Rybelsus is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin release, reducing sugar production in the liver, and slowing digestion. Jardiance, on the other hand, is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that works by preventing sugar reabsorption in the kidneys, causing sugar to be removed from the body in the urine. Rybelsus is taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach, while Jardiance is also taken once daily but can be taken with or without food. Rybelsus is only approved for Type 2 diabetes, whereas Jardiance is also approved to for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Common side effects of Rybelsus include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while Jardiance may cause urinary tract infections and increased urination. Both medications can cause low blood sugar when used with other diabetes medications, but they have different warnings and risks, such as thyroid cancer risk with Rybelsus and ketoacidosis risk with Jardiance. Neither medication currently has a generic version available.

Rybelsus (semaglutide)
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Rybelsus (semaglutide)
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Summary of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is a brand-name GLP-1 agonist that helps lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It's also FDA approved to help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in people with Type 2 diabetes who are at risk for these events. The medication comes as a pill that's taken by mouth once a day, at least 30 minutes before you eat, drink, or take any other medications by mouth. It’s used along with diet and exercise, and might also help with weight loss. Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
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.
Indications of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance
Indications for

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events

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)
Pros and Cons of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance
Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Only needs to be taken once per day

•First GLP-1 agonist in pill form

•Helps lower blood sugar and might also support weight loss

Cons

•Must be taken on an empty stomach

•Stomach side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain are common

•Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes

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
Common Side Effects of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance
Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (11-20%)

•Stomach pain (10-11%)

•Diarrhea (9-10%)

•Lower appetite (6-9%)

•Vomiting (6-8%)

•Constipation (5-6%)

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%)
Warnings of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance
Common Side Effects for

•Risk of thyroid tumors

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Eye problems

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications

•Kidney damage

•Severe stomach side effects

•Severe allergic reactions

•Gallbladder problems

•Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

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
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Compare Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Key takeaways

Summary of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Indications of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Pros and Cons of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Common Side Effects of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Warnings of Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

Prices with our coupons for Rybelsus vs. Jardiance

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