Jardiance
It is the brand name of a medication called empagliflozin, an oral diabetes drug that belongs to the class of drugs called oral antihyperglycemic agents.
This drug helps control blood sugar levels by helping the kidneys remove glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. It actually blocks SGLT2, a protein in the kidneys. As a result, the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood is reduced.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company produce this medicine and it was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014.
Uses
It is used in association with a healthy diet and physical exercise to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This condition occurs if the insulin which the body makes does not work as well as it should, or if the body does not make produce insulin. Currently, over 33 million people in the United States have diabetes, with about 90% of which is type 2 diabetes, as per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This medicine also helps reduce blood pressure and weight. It is not for people with diabetic ketoacidosis or sufferers with type 1 diabetes (autoimmune disease).
Dosage
For adults with type 2 diabetes, the usual recommended dose is 10 mg orally once per day in the morning. The dose may increase to 25 mg orally once per day. This is also the maximum dose. It may be taken without or with food, however, it is recommended to take it at a fixed time every day.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Empagliflozin
Common side effects may include:
- cloudy urine;
- pain in the back;
- a burning sensation during urination.
Rare side effects may include:
- dizziness;
- lightheadedness;
- vaginal itching;
- feeling faint;
- a rash of the penis;
- weakness, particularly when you stand up;
- pain in the skin around the penis;
- vaginal odor;
- drowsiness;
- yellowish vaginal discharge;
- confusion;
- excessive hunger;
- feeling jittery;
- swelling of your face, throat, and lips;
- irritability;
- fast heartbeat;
- sweating;
- kidney problems;
- difficulty swallowing;
- excessive thirst;
- vomiting;
- red areas on the skin;
- stomach pain;
- increased LDL and total cholesterol levels;
- urinating more often than normal;
- confusion;
- breath that smells fruity;
- shortness of breath.
Invokana
It is the brand name of a drug called canagliflozin, which works by helping the kidneys get rid of glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream. It actually blocks the action of SGLT2 (an enzyme in the kidney tubule which causes sugar to be reabsorbed from urine). Hence, it leads to more excretion of glucose in urine.
Johnson & Johnson is the manufacturer of this medicine and it was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2013. In 2015, sales hit $1.3 billion with 1.1 million prescriptions.
Uses
It is a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. If it is used alone, it doesn’t lower blood glucose sufficiently to make it effective as a single agent for type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it must be combined with other diabetes drugs.
This medication should not be used by individuals taking strong diuretic medication, individuals with low kidney function, individuals with type 1 diabetes as well as by people that have diarrhea. Also, its use in children is not recommended.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 100 mg once per day, taken before breakfast. The dose can be increased to 300 mg once a day if the patient has normal kidney function.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Canagliflozin
Common side effects may include:
- changes in urination;
- urinary tract infection;
- yeast infections of the penis;
- vaginal yeast infections.
Rare side effects may include:
- pelvic pain;
- loss of muscle tone;
- painful urination;
- heaviness in the legs;
- urine which has a strong odor;
- confusion;
- lack of energy;
- tingling in the legs or arms;
- urine which is cloudy, pink, red, or brown;
- rapid weight gain;
- feeling extremely thirsty;
- pain in the skin around the penis;
- foul-smelling discharge coming from the penis;
- yellowish vaginal discharge;
- slow or irregular heartbeat.
Some people may experience a severe allergic reaction, with symptoms which may include – swelling of the face, throat, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; breathing difficulties; or hives.
This medication might interact with other medicines, therefore, be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you are taking:
- St John’s Wort;
- ritonavir, efavirenz (medicines used to treat HIV infection);
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital (medicines used to control seizures);
- rifampicin (an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis);
- digitoxin or digoxin, drugs used to treat heart problems;
- other drugs which can lower blood sugar.
Moreover, tell your healthcare provider if you plan to become pregnant or are pregnant before taking canagliflozin since it is not known exactly whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby.
Jardiance vs Invokana – Differences
Jardiance (active ingredient empagliflozin) is a drug used to help control blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, it is approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. This medication is in a class of medicines known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It is similar to dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and canagliflozin.
Invokana (active ingredient canagliflozin) belongs to the class of drugs known as oral antihyperglycemic agents. It is used to control blood sugar levels.
Farxiga vs Invokana vs Jardiance – Differences
Farxiga (active ingredient dapagliflozin) is an oral diabetes drug that helps control blood sugar levels. Farxiga is part of a class of medications that work in the kidney to block SGLT2.
Invokana vs Januvia – Differences
Januvia (active ingredient sitagliptin) is an oral diabetes drug that helps control blood sugar levels. It belongs to the group of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors that work to lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin production.
In conclusion, all these medications have a different active ingredient, but they are all used to reduce blood glucose levels. The problem is that all of them have plenty of side effects and don’t treat the real causes of type 2 diabetes – an unhealthy lifestyle.
5 Alternative Treatments For Type 2 Diabetes
#1 Cinnamon
It has the capacity to lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin activity.
#2 Onions & Garlic
They have demonstrated blood-sugar-lowering properties as well as they help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
#3 Mushrooms
Maitake, reishi, and shiitake mushrooms are regulators of sugar levels, plus, they have many other beneficial effects on the human body.
#4 Cayenne Pepper
It contains a substance known as capsaicin that is beneficial for a range of conditions, including type 2 diabetes.
#5 Turmeric
It contains the compound curcumin that has been shown to boost blood sugar control. In addition, turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties which prevent cardiovascular disease.
Image credit – Shutterstock & Getty
READ THIS NEXT: Hydroxycut vs Zantrex
References https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/jardianc http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1504720#t=article https://www.invokanahcp.com/clinical-trial-results https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM558427.pdf