Medication like Jardiance is prescribed to treat and sometimes cure complicated health problems. However, drug interactions with supplements or foods may affect the medication’s efficacy. An interaction occurs when the supplement or food causes the drug to have a different effect than expected. Worse still, it could increase the risk of severe side effects.
Jardiance is an FDA-approved drug used primarily to manage the blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes. Although taking Jardiance with various foods is generally safe, as with other medications, it can interact with specific supplements and foods. These include garlic supplements, caffeine, excessive alcohol, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and highly processed foods.
As with any pill, drug, or medicine, doctors and patients alike need to know the foods to avoid while taking Jardiance so they can work together to optimize its benefits. Sometimes, reading the fine print on the medicine box isn’t enough. Here, learn about the foods to consider avoiding while taking Jardiance.
What is Jardiance?
“Jardiance is the brand name for empagliflozin, a medication originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It may also be used to help in the treatment of heart failure and chronic kidney disease,” says Scott Jordan Pilla, MD, MHS, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Jardiance is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure among adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, Jardiance is not for people with type 1 diabetes or those with ketoacidosis (increased ketones in blood or urine).
Jardiance interactions with other medications, supplements, and food are well documented. Some drugs that interact with Jardiance include diuretics, insulin, fluoxetine (Prozac), other diabetes drugs, and certain antibiotics.
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What is Jardiance prescribed for?
Jardiance is prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and children over 10 with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients typically see improvement with proper diet and exercise.
Dr. Pilla says, “It is in the class of medications called Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors. He says SGLT2 is a transporter in the kidneys that reabsorbs glucose into the blood. “SGLT2 inhibitors block glucose reabsorption, so you urinate out excess glucose. Because this class of medications has benefits protecting the heart and kidneys, it is one of the preferred medications to treat type 2 diabetes in people with cardiovascular or kidney disease.”
For patients with heart failure, Jardiance can help reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. For adults with chronic kidney disease, Jardiance can be used to reduce the risk of the condition worsening, hospitalization, and death.
Jardiance can cause serious side effects, including dehydration, ketoacidosis, severe urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, and yeast infections of the penis. Do not take Jardiance if you are allergic to empagliflozin or its ingredients. Since many patients have other conditions, knowing what to expect from everyday Jardiance interactions is essential.
Who makes Jardiance?
Jardiance is made and marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Germany, and distributed in collaboration with US-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company. Boehringer Ingelheim was founded in 1885 and has been family-owned ever since. It serves three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Jardiance® and EMPA-REG OUTCOME® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim.
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What are some other names for Jardiance?
Jardiance generic names include Empagliflozin, its active ingredient, and Glyxambi and Synjardy, which contain empagliflozin in combination with other anti-diabetes drugs. Such combinations include those with linagliptin, metformin, linagliptin, and metformin.
What foods should not be taken with Jardiance?
Dr. Pilla says there are no dietary considerations with Jardiance; however, optimizing diabetes management involves avoiding certain foods that are known to worsen the effects of diabetes.
While Jardiance effectively moderates blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes, specific foods may impede its efficacy or trigger undesired side effects. Thus, avoiding foods that could disrupt the drug’s blood sugar management and worsen underlying medical conditions is best.
Individuals using Jardiance should minimize consumption of high-carbohydrate foods, sugary beverages, and excessive alcohol, as they may compromise blood sugar control and worsen side effects. For the best results, here are some foods to avoid while taking Jardiance:
Highly processed foods
Highly processed foods often contain unhealthy fats, large amounts of refined sugars, and high sodium levels, which can counteract the benefits of Jardiance and worsen diabetes symptoms. These foods contribute to obesity and hypertension. Highly processed foods can cause rapid blood sugar spikes that can be hard to control. Thus, when trying to improve overall health and chronic conditions, opt for whole, unprocessed food for better results.
Caffeine
There is no identified interaction between Jardiance and caffeine. However, caffeine causes increased urination, and so does Jardiance. But a 2016 study found that “Caffeine intake enhances the benefits of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitor.”
That said, excessive consumption of caffeine-containing beverages like coffee or energy drinks may exacerbate Jardiance’s diuretic effect, increasing the risk of dehydration. Dehydration is about more than just running to the bathroom an inconvenient number of times. Instead, it may cause dizziness, lethargy, and—in severe cases—hospitalization. For diabetes patients who drink coffee regularly, doctors may encourage reducing the amount of coffee consumed daily or increasing water and electrolyte intake to counteract some of the possible negative effects.
Excessive alcohol
Like caffeine, there aren’t any known interactions between Jardiance and alcohol. However, drinking excessive alcohol while on Jardiance may increase the risk of side effects from the drug. Side effects that may be made worse with alcohol include headaches, ketoacidosis (high level of acid in the blood), and excessive urination. In addition, alcohol may dangerously increase or decrease blood sugar levels, making it harder to manage diabetes. Generally speaking, anyone suffering from diabetes should consider moderating alcohol consumption or avoiding it altogether.
High-glycemic carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates like white bread, cakes, sugary cereals, and other pastries have a high glycemic index that can cause rapid blood sugar spikes. While Jardiance helps to eliminate excess glucose through urine, a diet full of these foods may counteract its effects. If the consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates is not controlled, it may lead to persistently high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which undermines the intended benefits of Jardiance in managing diabetes. Jardiance itself is not counterindicated with any of these foods, but if the point is to improve symptoms and control the chronic health condition of diabetes, refined carbohydrates can be detrimental to achieving desired results.
High-sugar foods
For people with diabetes, it only makes sense to avoid high-sugar foods. After all, they are known to spike blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Such foods include candy, sodas, juices with added sugars, ice cream, and sweetened yogurts. Refined carbohydrates also break down into sugars, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Limiting these foods helps to keep blood sugar under control, which further enhances the results of taking Jardiance.
Better sweets include natural fruits and berries, as they contribute to a healthy diet overall. However, it’s best to avoid processed fruits that are sugar-coated, candied, or canned in syrup.
Fatty foods
Consuming excessive amounts of fatty foods may impair Jardiance’s ability to improve insulin sensitivity and control blood sugar levels effectively. High-fat meals can delay drug absorption and may exacerbate gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with Jardiance, such as diarrhea or abdominal discomfort. Maintaining a balanced diet low in fats can help ensure optimal absorption and efficacy of the medication, all while minimizing the risk of unwanted side effects.
To avoid greasy or fatty foods, people with diabetes might want to avoid deep-fried foods by using an air fryer or grill, which allows excess oils and fats to drip off the food before it is consumed.
Medicinal Supplements and Teas
A recent study has shown that fresh garlic has many anti-diabetic properties. Even garlic supplements have several benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels. However, taking too much garlic might not be good if you take Jardiance, because they aim to do the same thing. Since Jardiance works to lower sugar levels, taking additional garlic supplements may cause sugar levels to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. Patients should consult their physician about how best to use garlic supplements or fresh garlic in conjunction with Jardiance to mitigate negative interactions.
Similarly, green tea has many benefits, but drinking too much while on Jardiance may cause blood sugar levels to drop considerably. For best results, consult a physician about the ideal frequency and quantity to consume.
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FAQs
Does Jardiance lower blood pressure?
Yes. Jardiance can lower blood pressure in addition to its primary function of reducing blood sugar levels. Dr. Pilla confirms that it “lowers blood pressure a small degree, which is usually beneficial, but it could cause dizziness if blood pressure becomes too low.” Therefore, individuals using Jardiance should be mindful of potential fluctuations in blood pressure and consult their doctor if they experience any symptoms of dizziness.
What are the side effects of Jardiance in females?
“A common side effect is increased rates of genital mycotic infections (yeast infections), which are more common in women,” states Dr. Pilla. If you experience symptoms such as vaginal odor, white or yellowish discharge (which may appear lumpy, resembling cottage cheese), and vaginal itching, consult your healthcare provider promptly. Addressing these symptoms as they occur can help manage and alleviate discomfort associated with genital mycotic infections.
What are the side effects of Jardiance in males?
Jardiance may also lead to yeast infections on the skin around the penis, particularly in uncircumcised males and those with chronic infections. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, penile rash, foul-smelling discharge, and skin pain. Men experiencing these symptoms must consult their healthcare provider promptly for appropriate management and treatment of potential yeast infections.
Some studies show that SGLT2 inhibitors and drugs in Jardiance’s drug class may increase the risk of limb amputation. Dr. Pilla adds that, while not gender specific, “Rare but serious side effects of Jardiance are risk of ketoacidosis (so Jardiance should not be used in people with type 1 diabetes who are at risk of this).” However, Dr. Pilla says, “These would be extremely rare risks” that come with this generally safe medication.
What happens when you take Jardiance and Ozempic together?
“There is no interaction between Jardiance and Ozempic (brand name of semaglutide),” assures Dr. Pilla. These medications are frequently prescribed together for treating type 2 diabetes. They operate through distinct mechanisms, synergistically lowering blood glucose levels. Combining Jardiance with Ozempic can provide comprehensive diabetes management by integrating multiple approaches simultaneously, allowing healthcare providers to optimize patient-specific treatment plans for overall therapeutic efficacy.