Canada Pharmacy Depot

What to Know Before Taking Jardiance

Friday 4 February 2022
Jardiance
5 minute(s) read
Dr.Stanley Zaslau

Medically reviewed by

Dr Stanley Zaslau, MD

on 7 September 2022


Table of Contents


I. Jardiance 101

II. Jardiance Side Effects

III. Yeast Infections

IV. Risk of Dehydration

V. Potential Weight Loss

VI. Increase in Cholesterol Levels


What is Jardiance used for?

Jardiance is a type 2 diabetes drug that can help improve blood sugar levels. Along with lowering glucose levels, it can lower the risk for heart issues and reduce your chance of developing heart disease over time.

Along with diet and exercise, using Jardiance (empagliflozin) can improve everyday life for diabetes patients. This drug is preferred by many people because it is taken once daily. You may still have to undergo insulin treatment while taking Jardiance, but your doctor will determine what is right for your condition. If your doctor prescribes empagliflozin as part of your treatment plan, you'll find that the Jardiance cost in Canada is much more affordable than your local pharmacy.

Jardiance works by blocking blood sugar reabsorption by the kidneys. When this process occurs, more glucose is excreted in the urine, lowering blood sugar. Research has shown that Jardiance is a successful option for lowering your A1C levels, a longer term measure of blood sugar control. But is this diabetes drug for anyone? Before starting a new medication, it is essential to make sure you know about pre-existing conditions and possible interactions that may occur. Read on to learn all you need to know before starting Jardiance.

a woman with sugar on her lips

Jardiance Side Effects

Jardiance may cause mild to severe side effects. If you encounter mild side effects, they will usually disappear on their own. If any mild side effect worsens or lasts longer than a few days, talk to your doctor for medical assistance. Common side effects of Jardiance include light-headedness, dizziness, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you experience a UTI, symptoms such as pain during urination or cloudy urine may occur.

Empagliflozin may also lead to severe side effects such as low blood pressure (hypotension), kidney damage, ketoacidosis, and serious allergic reactions. If you experience any of these complications, including loss of consciousness, swelling in the ankles, or muscle stiffness, seek emergency help from your physician right away. To reduce your risk of side effects, it is important to take this medication as directed and avoid Jardiance interactions. [1]

Jardiance and Yeast Infections

If your doctor approves Jardiance for you, the benefits will outweigh the risks. When your blood sugar levels are at a healthy level, the chance of side effects decreases. With this said, yeast infections are one of the most common side effects of Jardiance. This side effect is more common in females but may occur in males as well.

A vaginal yeast infection can cause many bothersome conditions like irritation, itchiness, and discharge at the vaginal opening. This condition is very common, affecting three out of four women at some point in their lifetimes.

Jardiance is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor. These drugs are known to come with a higher incidence of genital yeast infections, but they are typically mild, treatable, and rarely cause any serious side effects. Luckily, several antibiotics are available at virtually every pharmacy or quick-care to treat yeast infections.

Jardiance and Dehydration

Jardiance increases the amount of glucose excreted through urine, which can lead to dehydration in some cases. Dehydration is a common side effect that occurs when the body does not get enough water and electrolytes. Dehydration is a serious problem that can lead to death if left untreated.

two water glasses on a table

To avoid becoming dehydrated, you should drink plenty of fluids; eight 8-ounce glasses of water is the recommended daily amount. Eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables also provides the body with fluid. This side effect can also lead to low blood pressure when fluid is decreased in the body’s blood vessels. [1]

Avoiding excess caffeine can help decrease the risk of dehydration. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol can make you urinate more often, which can be dangerous for someone taking Jardiance medication. Symptoms of dehydration include:

  • Excess thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Dark yellow urine
  • Urinating less than four times a day

Jardiance and Weight Loss

Weight loss is one potential side effect of Jardiance. That may sound like a fantastic side effect for some, but that is not always the case. When excess glucose is excreted through the urine, you are urinating calories. Jardiance is a unique diabetes drug because it can cause weight loss without the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is a dangerous complication of type 2 diabetes and should be avoided whenever possible.

Weight loss can be helpful, especially if you develop type 2 diabetes due to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices. But it is important to never rely solely on Jardiance for diabetes-related weight loss. If you are unsure where to start on your diet and exercise journey, talk to your doctor to make a plan that works for you.

an old fashioned medical scale

Increase in Cholesterol Levels

Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol often go hand in hand. If your diet consists of lots of sugar and fat, you are more likely to experience several health problems, including diabetes and high cholesterol. If you know that you have high cholesterol or high cholesterol runs in the family, you should tell your doctor before beginning Jardiance.

High cholesterol does not typically cause any symptoms, so a blood test is required to determine the presence of this medical issue. Some studies have shown that Jardiance increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in some patients. If your levels are significantly elevated above normal, you may be at risk of the following complications:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Chest pain
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • High blood pressure [1]

Jardiance at Canada Pharmacy Depot

At the end of the day, beginning a regime with Jardiance is up to the discretion of your primary physician. But it is the patient’s duty to be transparent with their doctor and let them know about any pre-existing conditions and family medical history. To learn more about the medication, its side effects, interactions, and more check out our educational Jardiance articles.

Jardiance is often an expensive medication at your local pharmacy and that’s where an online pharmacy like Canada Pharmacy Depot comes in. At our secure online pharmacy, you can order Jardiance at discount prices and save hundreds of dollars. Visit Canada Pharmacy Depot to learn more about saving money on your diabetes treatment plan today.

The content provided in this article is based on thorough research and in some cases, reviewed by a medical professional. Our goal for the information is to provide helpful, general health informational. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.