Key takeaways
- Taking Jardiance and metformin together is generally considered safe and can be more effective for managing blood sugar than using either medication alone.
- These medications work differently to lower blood sugar. Metformin reduces glucose production and absorption, while Jardiance helps the kidneys remove excess sugar from the body.
Jardiance (empagliflozin) and metformin are prescription medications. Doctors recommend them along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s usually safe to take these medications together.
Keep reading to find out why your doctor may recommend taking Jardiance and metformin together.
Some
For example, a
After 24 weeks of treatment, the group that took Jardiance and metformin had a larger reduction in A1C than the groups that took either drug on its own. Also, after 24 weeks, more people in the combination group reached an A1C of less than 7% compared to the other groups.
Key term
A1C is a measurement that reflects your average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. According to the American Diabetes Association, the A1C goal for most adults with diabetes is less than 7%.
Doctors use the A1C test to determine how well your treatment plan is working to manage your type 2 diabetes.
Read more: Learn about A1C levels, testing, and how they impact care for people with diabetes.
How do these drugs work
Metformin belongs to a group of medications called biguanides. It helps lower blood sugar levels by:
- decreasing glucose (sugar) production in your liver
- reducing intestinal absorption of sugar
- enhancing insulin sensitivity
Jardiance belongs to a group of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. To help lower blood sugar, Jardiance works by causing the kidneys to remove more sugar from your blood. Then, your body eliminates the extra sugar via your urine.
Jardiance and metformin both come in forms that are taken by mouth. It is safe to take Jardiance and metformin at the same time.
Jardiance comes as an immediate-release oral tablet that is typically taken once per day. The best time to take it is in the morning, with or without food.
Metformin comes as an immediate-release oral tablet, extended-release oral tablet, and oral solution. It is usually taken once or twice per day with meals. Note that you should not split, crush, or chew the extended-release form of metformin. You should swallow it whole.
Key terms
- “Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away.
- “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on taking this form of medication.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their treatment with Jardiance and metformin. The table below describes mild and serious side effects of these drugs.
| Jardiance | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Mild side effects | • urinary tract infection • vaginal yeast infection • nausea • urinating more often than usual or making more urine than usual | • diarrhea • nausea or vomiting • gas • abdominal pain • indigestion • weakness • headache • weight loss |
| Serious side effects | • dehydration (low fluid level), which can cause dizziness or weakness • ketoacidosis (a buildup of acid in your body) • low blood pressure • Fournier’s gangrene | • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) • vitamin B12 deficiency (decreased vitamin B12 level) • boxed warning: lactic acidosis |
For some people, Jardiance or metformin can cause an allergic reaction. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies of metformin. Allergic reactions have been reported with Jardiance since it has been on the market, but this side effect wasn’t seen in the drug’s studies.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And you may be able to manage some of them easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking these drugs unless your doctor recommends it.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Jardiance or metformin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Note: Jaridance and meformin may cause side effects other than those listed. See the Jardiance’s prescribing information and metformin’s prescribing information for details.
Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Boxed warning: Lactic acidosis
Metformin has a boxed warning about the risk of lactic acidosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
With lactic acidosis, there is a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. Although rare, lactic acidosis is possible when taking metformin and can be serious or even life threatening. If you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis, you should get treatment right away. Potential signs and symptoms include:
- muscle pain
- abdominal pain
- trouble breathing
- sleepiness
Other medical conditions or factors, such as drinking large amounts of alcohol or kidney or liver problems, can increase your risk of developing lactic acidosis. If you have any of these risk factors, your doctor will likely monitor you more closely during metformin treatment.
If you have questions about metformin and lactic acidosis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Synjardy is a brand-name medication that contains both metformin and empagliflozin, which is the active ingredient of Jardiance. Synjardy is approved to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.
Synjardy is available as an immediate-release oral tablet. It is also available as an extended-release oral tablet under the name Synjardy XR. (Note that Synjardy XR is only approved for use in adults.)
Some people may prefer taking Synjardy because it may reduce the total number of pills they have to swallow each day, compared to taking Jardiance and metformin separately. There may also be cost differences to consider.
If you have questions about whether Synjardy is the right medication for you, talk with your doctor.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about Jardiance and metformin.
No foods are known to interact with Jardiance or metformin.
However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor will likely recommend avoiding or limiting alcoholic beverages while taking Jardiance and/or metformin. Consuming alcohol with either medication can raise the risk of side effects. Alcohol may also affect blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to manage type 2 diabetes.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about what to eat or drink while taking these medications.
No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Jardiance ot metformin for weight loss. But weight loss can be a side effect of both medications.
Doctors may prescribe Jardiance or metformin off-label for weight loss. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you would like to know more about managing your weight with metformin or Jardiance.
Jardiance and metformin are two medications used along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is usually safe to take these medications together.
Some research has found that taking these two medications together can lead to better management of blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes compared to taking either medication by itself.
Your doctor can help you decide whether you can benefit from taking metformin, Jardiance, or both.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.