Can Jardiance cause kidney problems?
Research suggests it is unlikely for Jardiance to cause acute kidney injury. While uncommon, it is possible for Jardiance (empagliflozin) to cause kidney problems in some people. According to the prescribing information, there have been reports of kidney injury in some people who took Jardiance.
One of the FDA-approved indications for Jardiance is to lower the risk of worsening kidney problems in adults with chronic kidney disease. However, it can cause dehydration. Having too little fluids in the body can cause kidney damage. Jardiance also raises the risk of developing a kidney infection.
Does Jardiance worsen kidney function?
It can, but this is rare. Jardiance has been proven to lower the risk of kidney disease progression in clinical studies. It works by reducing pressure in the kidneys. The medication blocks a protein in the kidneys called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2), which causes extra sugar in your body to leave through your urine. Because it makes you urinate more often, it can cause dehydration as a side effect. This can lead to a sudden worsening of kidney function.
Your risk for dehydration is higher if you are on a low sodium diet, take blood pressure medications, have kidney problems, or are 65 years or older. Ask your healthcare provider how much you should drink every day, and let them know if you change the amount you eat or drink (e.g., when you are sick). If you have vomiting or diarrhea while taking Jardiance, you should also let your healthcare provider know so they can monitor you more closely for dehydration.
Get medical attention if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms of kidney problems:
- Urinating less than usual
- Not making any urine
- Feeling tired
- Confusion
- Low appetite
- Pain on the side of your back
- Nausea
- Swelling in your legs or feet
Your healthcare provider can also check your kidney health through blood tests. Make sure to get all of your lab work done on time so they can watch for side effects.
This is not all the information you need to know about Jardiance (empagliflozin) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
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References
Jardiance [package insert]. Updated October 2024. Accessed 11/01/24 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=faf3dd6a-9cd0-39c2-0d2e-232cb3f67565
Nadkarni, G. N., et. al. 2017. Acute Kidney Injury in Patients on SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Propensity-Matched Analysis. In: Diabetes Care. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc17-1011
National Kidney Foundation. 2024. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Accessed 11/01/24 at https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/acute-kidney-injury-aki
The EMPA-KIDNEY Collaborative Group. 2023. Empagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. In: N Engl J Med. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2204233
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Drug information
- Jardiance Information for Consumers
- Jardiance prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Jardiance (detailed)
- Jardiance user reviews (330)
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