Does Jardiance Cause Weight Loss

When a medication affects blood sugar, appetite, or urination, changes on the scale can raise questions. If you have been prescribed Jardiance, you may wonder whether weight loss is an expected benefit or a reason to contact your healthcare provider.

Jardiance can cause modest weight loss in some people, but it is not approved as a weight-loss medication. Results vary based on a person’s starting weight, health conditions, diet, activity level, other medications, and response to treatment. Jardiance should not be taken solely to lose weight unless a licensed healthcare provider has prescribed it for an approved medical reason.

Why Does Jardiance Cause Weight Loss?

Jardiance is the brand name for empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, commonly shortened to SGLT2 inhibitor. It helps the kidneys remove more glucose from the bloodstream through urine. This can lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Jardiance is also approved for certain adults with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Because glucose contains calories, losing more glucose through urine may contribute to weight loss. Increased urination and changes in body fluid can also affect early weight measurements. Jardiance does not suppress appetite in the same way as medications such as semaglutide, and it should not be expected to produce the same degree of weight loss.

How Much Weight Might You Lose?

Weight changes are usually modest. In one 24-week clinical trial, people taking Jardiance alone had an average body-weight reduction of 2.8% with the 10 mg dose and 3.2% with the 25 mg dose. The placebo group lost an average of 0.4%. Individual results may be smaller or larger, and some people may not lose weight.

A higher Jardiance dose does not guarantee greater weight loss and should not be taken for that purpose. Do not change your dose without speaking with your prescriber.

Contact your healthcare provider if weight loss is rapid, unexpected, or accompanied by weakness, dizziness, vomiting, poor appetite, or signs of dehydration. Unexplained weight loss can have causes unrelated to Jardiance.

Side Effects and Cautions

Common adverse reactions reported with Jardiance include urinary tract infections and genital yeast infections. The medication may also contribute to volume depletion, meaning the body loses too much fluid. Older adults, people with impaired kidney function, and those taking loop diuretics may face a higher risk of low blood pressure or dehydration.

Jardiance can also increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition involving excess acids called ketones in the blood. Seek urgent medical care for nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing, or confusion. The risk of low blood sugar may increase when Jardiance is taken with insulin or medications that stimulate insulin release.

Is There a Generic for Jardiance?

Yes, the FDA approved empagliflozin tablets in 10 mg and 25 mg strengths as a generic equivalent to Jardiance in 2022. The FDA determined that this product was bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name medication. However, FDA approval does not always mean a generic is immediately or consistently available at every pharmacy.

Canada Pharmacy currently lists both brand-name Jardiance and a generic-equivalent empagliflozin option. Prices, manufacturers, source countries, and availability may change, so patients should review the current product information and ask a pharmacist any questions before ordering. A valid prescription is required.

Jardiance may support modest weight loss while treating an approved condition, but it is not a substitute for a weight-management plan. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether the medication is appropriate for you and evaluate any unexpected change in weight.

Is Jardiance prescribed for weight loss?

No. Jardiance is not FDA-approved specifically for weight loss. Weight reduction may occur as a secondary effect when the medication is used for an approved condition.

Does everyone lose weight on Jardiance?

No. Some people lose a modest amount of weight, while others notice little or no change. Results depend on several personal and treatment-related factors.

Does Jardiance reduce appetite?

Jardiance does not directly suppress appetite. It primarily works by helping the kidneys remove glucose through urine.

Can Jardiance cause too much weight loss?

Significant or rapid weight loss is not typical and should be discussed with a healthcare provider, particularly when accompanied by dehydration, nausea, vomiting, weakness, or reduced food intake.

Is there a generic for Jardiance?

The FDA has approved generic empagliflozin tablets, although availability may vary by pharmacy, manufacturer, and country.