Jardiance

Jardiance is a common oral anti-diabetic medication, used in treating type 2 diabetes.

Understanding how Jardiance works

People with type 2 diabetes suffer from a pancreas that does not produce enough insulin or that their body isn’t able to use the insulin that it naturally produces. Due to the crucial role that insulin plays in regulating the sugar levels in the blood, diabetic people tend to record significantly higher glucose levels. Jardiance works by removing sugar from the body by eliminating it through the urine.

Benefits of Jardiance

Diabetes, as an illness, is considered a life-long one. However, type 2 diabetes tends to develop considerably later in life. It is quite common among people who are inactive or are overweight. There are several symptoms associated with the condition including frequent urination, excessive thirst as well as extreme fatigue or tiredness.

Proper management is crucial when diagnosed with the disease. This is because when not controlled, it brings about some very serious health risks as it can affect the heart, the nervous system and the eyes. Jardiance is a medication that can help prevent this.

How is Jardiance used?

Jardiance is available only as a prescription medication. This means that you will need to secure a prescription from your doctor in order to get access to it. When taking the medication, it is crucial to follow your doctor’s advice to make sure you are getting the most benefit from it. In addition, you can also check the details provided in the information leaflet that the medication packet comes with.

When taking the tablet, swallow it whole followed by a drink of water. It can be taken with food or without. The medication can be taken any time, but you have to make sure that you will consistently take it at your chosen time. This helps make it easier for you to remember to take the tablet.

Available Jardiance dosage

Jardiance has the active ingredient empagliflozin. It usually comes in 10mg or 25mg tablets.

A normal Jardiance dose is 10mg per day but there is a very good chance that it may go up to 25mg if your doctor believes that your current health condition requires it. However, it is also possible that you may be asked to reduce your dose or just stay in the lower one if you have kidney issues.

In the event that you forget to take a Jardiance tablet, make sure to take it the soonest that you can. The only time you shouldn’t is when it has been more than 12 hours since the intended time you were supposed to take it. If this happens, then just skip the dose you forgot and move on to the next one. Never double dose just to make up for a missed one.

If you have taken more than the recommended Jardiance dose, make sure to see your doctor immediately or get to the nearest emergency facility as soon as you can.  

Precautions and side effects

Always consult your doctor before taking Jardiance. In addition, if the following conditions apply to you, then you should not take the medication:

  • You’re allergic to empagliflozin as well as any other ingredients contained by the tablet
  • You’re 85 years or older
  • You’re currently breastfeeding

Your Jardiance prescription will likely be affected by several factors. This is why it is important that you let your doctor know if the following happens to apply to you:

  • You’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; this type of diabetes typically starts at a young age and is usually characterized by the inability of the body to produce insulin
  • You’re 75 years or older
  • You’re suffering from some serious kidney issues
  • You’re being sick, have fever or diarrhoea, or if you’re unable to drink or eat
  • You have a serious kidney infection or are suffering from a urinary tract infection with fever

Like other medications that contain active ingredients, Jardiance can affect other medicines or it can get affected by them. This especially true with the following types of medications:

  • Diuretics or medicines used in removing water from the body
  • Medicines that lower the glucose levels in the blood including insulin or “sulphonylurea” medicines

If you happen to take any of the medicines mentioned above, then let your doctor know so they can properly advise you on whether or not it would be beneficial for you to start taking Jardiance.

As a diabetic, regardless of the treatment you are getting, it is essential that you check your feet on the regular you doctor will have given you footcare advice so, make sure to follow that to the tee.

If a pregnancy is on the horizon or you have plans to have a baby soon, it is crucial that you first talk to your doctor about it before commencing treatment using Jardiance. This is because it is still not known whether or not the medication will have any harmful effects on unborn babies.

While taking the medicine, make sure to religiously follow an exercise and diet plan. This is essential in keeping your diabetes properly managed. Follow your doctor or health provider’s advice at all times and if you’re unsure of some things, do not hesitate to contact them right away.

When taking Jardiance, some may experience side effects such as:

  • Back pain
  • Genital infection/ thrush in the vagina or penis
  • Changes in the levels of fats and cholesterol in the body
  • Urinating more frequently than usual
  • Increase in red blood cell count in the blood
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased creatinine renal clearance
  • Rashes

In the event that you experience any of these side effects and you believe that they have worsened or are persistent, call your doctor right away. While side effects that are fairly common, there are pretty serious ones such as urinary tract infection, serious dehydration and low blood glucose levels. Get in touch with your doctor if you experience any of these for proper guidance and help.