Empagliflozin: uses, side effects & brands

Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS · Last reviewed 5 November 2026

Empagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor with proven heart and kidney benefits. It belongs to the Oral diabetes medicine group. These help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes through different mechanisms.

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Drug type — dosing is set by your doctor

Measure	Range
Drug class	Oral diabetes medicine
Type	Prescription
Dose	Individual — ask your doctor or pharmacist

What it is used for

Type 2 diabetes
Lowering the risk of heart-related death in diabetes with heart disease
Heart failure
Chronic kidney disease

Common brand names

India: Jardiance, Gibtulio
Worldwide: Jardiance

Common side effects

Genital thrush (yeast infection)
Urine infections
Passing more urine and thirst
Dizziness from low blood pressure

Before taking it — precautions

Keep the genital area clean and drink enough fluids
Tell your doctor before surgery or if unwell and not eating — it may be paused
Tell your doctor about water tablets, insulin or low-carb diets

When to see a doctor urgently

Nausea, vomiting, tummy pain, fast breathing or unusual drowsiness — even if sugar is normal (possible ketoacidosis — urgent)
Pain, swelling or redness in the genital or back-passage area with fever (rare — urgent)
Signs of dehydration — severe dizziness, very little urine

Not a prescription — no dose shown. The right dose of empagliflozin depends on age, weight, kidney/liver function and the condition, so MedDroid does not show a dose here. Always get your dose from a doctor or pharmacist and the leaflet inside the pack. General educational information only.

Frequently asked questions

Does empagliflozin protect the heart?

Yes — studies show it lowers the risk of heart-related death and hospital stays for heart failure.

Does empagliflozin cause low blood sugar?

On its own it rarely does; the risk rises with insulin or a sulfonylurea.

Why should I pause it when I'm very unwell?

Being ill, dehydrated or not eating raises the risk of ketoacidosis. Your doctor may advise pausing until you recover.

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Sources & further reading

Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.