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Jardiamet

Also called empagliflozin + metformin

Key points about Jardiamet

Jardiamet is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
It is a combination of 2 medicines, empagliflozin and metformin, in a single tablet.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Jardiamet is used to treat type 2 diabetes and protect your kidneys and heart. It's a combination of 2 medicines, empagliflozin and metformin, in a single tablet. Read more about type 2 diabetes.

Jardiamet lowers your blood glucose and blood pressure by helping your kidneys get rid of glucose, salt and fluid when you pass urine (pee/mimi). Jardiamet has other benefits such as weight loss, helping your kidneys work better and lowering your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Jardiamet is best used together with healthy eating and regular exercise.

Note: Empagliflozin on its own is called Jardiance. Read more about empagliflozin.

Video: How to take empagliflozin (Jardiance and Jardiamet) in English (may take a few moments to load)

Video: How to take empagliflozin (Jardiance and Jardiamet) in te reo Māori (may take a few moments to load)

(Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ and PHARMAC, 2022)

View descriptive transcript in English.

In Aotearoa New Zealand Jardiamet tablets are available in 4 strengths:

Jardiamet 5 mg/500 mg
Jardiamet 12.5 mg/500 mg
Jardiamet 5 mg/1,000 mg
Jardiamet 12.5 mg/1,000 mg

Check with your healthcare provider which strength you are taking.

The usual dose of Jardiamet is 1 tablet twice a day.
Always take Jardiamet exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

Timing: Take Jardiamet 2 times a day, in the morning and the evening. Jardiamet is best taken with or just after food or a meal, to lessen the chance of stomach upset.
Drink enough water so you don't get thirsty: When you start taking Jardiamet, you may pee more but this gets better over a few weeks. If you’ve been told to limit how much you drink, talk to your healthcare team.
Avoid or limit alcohol while you are taking Jardiamet: It may affect your blood glucose control and increase your risk of side effects. Drinking alcohol very often or drinking a lot of alcohol over a short time (binge drinking) can affect your diabetes and lead to high ketone levels. This can cause a serious but rare side effect called ketoacidosis.
Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose.
Don't run out of tablets: Jardiamet works best when taken every day. See your healthcare team every 3 months for a new prescription.

Here are some things to know when you're taking Jardiamet. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

You are at increased risk of urinary tract or fungal genital infection (thrush)

Jardiamet causes you to pee more and have more glucose in your urine, which increases your risk of getting urinary tract infection (UTI) or thrush around the vagina or penis. Germs (bacteria and fungus) like to grow in body fluids with a high sugar content. As your blood glucose level decreases, this tends to settle.

To reduce the risk of infection, wash your genital area with warm water using non-perfumed soap. Also, any drops of pee left behind on the penis or vagina need to be removed.

People with a vagina, should wash their vulval area twice a day. Also, every time after peeing, rinse the area with water and then pat dry with toilet paper. If rinsing is not possible, pat dry carefully with toilet paper.
People with a penis should wash their groin area at least once a day. Also, every time after peeing, rinse your penis with water and then pat dry with toilet paper. If rinsing is not possible, pat dry carefully with toilet paper. If you are able, pull back your foreskin before you pee, to avoid drops of urine spilling into the foreskin fold.

If you get any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately

Pain or a burning sensation when peeing.
Need to pee more often than usual or need to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual.
Pee that looks cloudy, dark or has a smell.
Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs.
Irritation or itching, pain, redness or swelling in your genital area (privates) or around your bottom.

It's important to treat thrush or UTI early. If left untreated, it can turn into a serious life-threatening infection called Fournier’s gangrene(external link).

Have a sick day plan

If you're unwell with vomiting, diarrhoea or a fever, or not eating or drinking as usual, stop taking Jardiamet. Only restart your Jardiamet when you are well AND eating and drinking normally for 1 or 2 days.

Taking Jardiamet when you are unwell increases your risk of high ketones levels, which can cause a serious but rare side effect called ketoacidosis.
Ketoacidosis causes your blood to become too acidic and can be very dangerous if it is not treated.

If you have nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick/puking) or pain in your tummy (puku), or feel very unwell and confused:

Stop taking Jardiamet, AND,
Go to your GP clinic, after hours medical centre or hospital straight away. You need to have a finger prick blood test immediately to check your ketone levels.

Ketoacidosis is very serious and needs immediate treatment.

Being dehydrated and not eating enough carbohydrates can cause serious side effects

Being dehydrated and not eating enough carbohydrates can lead to high ketone levels, which can cause a serious but rare side effect called ketoacidosis.

Tell your healthcare team before making any big changes to your diet: It's a good idea to cut down on foods with added sugar if you have diabetes. However, having too few carbohydrates in your diet while you're taking Jardiamet may increase your risk of ketoacidosis. Tell your healthcare team if you start eating less, go on a keto (low carbohydrate) diet or if you're fasting.
Fasting during Ramadan: If you're fasting during Ramadan and are still getting enough carbohydrates, you can keep taking Jardiamet. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting enough carbohydrates and drinking plenty of water while taking Jardiamet. It's not recommended to start Jardiamet as a new medicine immediately before or during Ramadan.
Marathon or long-distance runners: If you're going to run a long distance or marathon while you're taking Jardiamet, it's important to let your healthcare provider know. You may need to stop Jardiamet the day before the marathon and restart 24 hours or so afterwards when you are well hydrated and eating normally.

Prepare before an operation or a procedure

If you're going to have an operation or a procedure where you will need to stop eating for 12 hours or more (eg, a colonoscopy or dental surgery), ask your healthcare team when you should stop and restart your Jardiamet. You may need to stop your Jardiamet 3 days before the operation or procedure.

Are you pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding?

It's important to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you're trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding. You may need to change to another diabetes medicine.

Tell your healthcare team if you are taking any other medicines

Jardiamet may interact some medicines and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting Jardiamet and before starting any new medicines or herbal supplements.

Like all medicines, Jardiamet can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effects	What should I do?
Peeing more often than usual. Mild skin rash or itchy skin.	Talk to your healthcare team if these side effects cause you problems or don’t go away.
Feeling dizzy	Don't drive or use machinery if you're feeling dizzy. Don’t drink alcohol if you are feeling dizzy, this can increase your risk of falls. Talk to your healthcare provider if this doesn't go away.
Signs of thrush or urinary tract infection (UTI) such as irritation or itching, pain, swelling or redness in your genital area, or pain or burning feeling when you pee.	Jardiamet causes you to pee more and have more glucose in your urine, which increases your risk of getting a UTI or thrush around the vagina or penis. Contact your healthcare provider or Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately and tell them you are taking Jardiamet.
Signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis such as: being sick (vomiting) feeling very thirsty (dehydrated) being confused or unusually tired or sleepy tummy (abdominal) pain sweet-smelling breath deep or fast breathing.	This is a rare but serious side effect of Jardiamet. You are at increased risk if you are dehydrated or have a sudden illness, have just had surgery, have reduced your calorie intake, or are on a low carbohydrate diet or if your insulin requirements have increased. If you get these signs and symptoms, stop taking Jardiamet and tell your healthcare team or Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately and tell them you are taking Jardiamet.
Signs of Fournier’s gangrene such as: swelling, pain, itching or tenderness in or around your vagina, penis, testicles or bottom changes to the colour of your skin, such as redness or darkened areas around your vagina, penis, testicles or bottom fever or high temperature general unwellness or tiredness.	This is a rare but serious side effect of Jardiamet. If you get these signs and symptoms, stop taking Jardiamet and tell your healthcare team or Healthline 0800 611 116 immediately and tell them you are taking Jardiamet. Read more about Fournier’s gangrene(external link).