Jardiance vs. Invokana: Comparing SGLT2 Inhibitors for Diabetes, Heart, and Kidney Health
Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Invokana (canagliflozin) are both medications used to treat type 2 diabetes by helping your body remove excess sugar through urine. They are often compared because both drugs belong to the same class and offer significant benefits beyond just blood sugar control, including protection for the heart and kidneys.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Empagliflozin | Canagliflozin |
|---|---|---|
| Drug Class | SGLT2 Inhibitor (Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor) | SGLT2 Inhibitor (Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor) |
| Primary Use | Type 2 diabetes, reducing risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure, reducing risk of kidney disease progression in adults with chronic kidney disease. | Type 2 diabetes (adults and children 10+), reducing risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and kidney disease progression in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or risk factors. |
| Approved Age Range | Adults only | Adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older for type 2 diabetes. |
| Key Advantage | Strong evidence for reducing cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalizations, and kidney disease progression. | Approved for use in children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, also provides cardiovascular and kidney benefits. |
| Mechanism of Action | Blocks SGLT2 in the kidneys, causing more sugar to be excreted in urine. | Blocks SGLT2 in the kidneys, causing more sugar to be excreted in urine. |
| Important Warning | Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, especially in type 1 diabetes or with risk factors. | Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, especially in type 1 diabetes or with risk factors; historically associated with a higher risk of lower limb amputations (though risk is small and often manageable). |
| When to Choose | Your doctor might prefer Jardiance if your primary concerns are reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, preventing hospitalization for heart failure, or slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease, alongside managing type 2 diabetes. It has robust data supporting these specific benefits. | Invokana might be chosen if you are an adult or a child aged 10 or older with type 2 diabetes needing blood sugar control, especially if you also have established cardiovascular disease or risk factors, or kidney disease. Its approval for younger patients with type 2 diabetes is a distinguishing factor. |
| Side Effects | Both medications share common side effects such as yeast infections and urinary tract infections due to increased sugar in the urine, and an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. Invokana was historically linked to a slightly higher risk of lower limb amputations, though this risk is generally small and carefully monitored by doctors. | |
| Cost | Both Jardiance and Invokana are brand-name medications, meaning they are generally more expensive than generic drugs. Their cost can vary significantly based on insurance coverage, deductibles, and pharmacy pricing. |
Bottom Line
Both Jardiance and Invokana are effective SGLT2 inhibitors that not only help manage type 2 diabetes but also provide significant protective benefits for the heart and kidneys. The choice between them often depends on specific patient characteristics, co-existing conditions, and your doctor's assessment of which drug's benefits best align with your individual health needs. Always discuss these options thoroughly with your healthcare provider.
Empagliflozin Overview
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) is a medication that helps your kidneys remove extra sugar from your body through urine. It is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar, and also helps reduce the risk of heart-related problems and hospitalizations in adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
Full Empagliflozin guide →Canagliflozin Overview
Invokana (canagliflozin) is a medication for adults and children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove more sugar from the body through urine. For adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart or kidney disease, Invokana also helps reduce the risk of serious heart problems, hospitalization for heart failure, and progression of kidney disease.
Full Canagliflozin guide →Compare prices for Empagliflozin and Canagliflozin
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