empagliflozin
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor from Boehringer Ingelheim. It lowers blood sugar by letting glucose leave through the urine, and it also protects the heart and kidneys, reducing heart failure hospitalisation and kidney disease progression.
This page is based on FDA prescribing information and the EMA medicine record for empagliflozin, cross-checked with MedlinePlus; the mechanism is explained in plain language, and analogies are used only where they stay accurate.
How it works
Explains what the medicine does in the body, not dosing, side effects, or safety.
An analogy
The kidney usually runs a sugar recovery operation, pulling every filtered glucose molecule back into the blood through the SGLT2 conveyor. Empagliflozin switches off that conveyor. Surplus sugar leaves with the urine, and the change in salt and water handling takes load off the heart and the kidney's filters.
In simple terms
The kidneys filter blood constantly and normally reclaim all glucose. Empagliflozin blocks SGLT2, the transporter that recovers most of that glucose, so extra sugar is excreted in urine and blood sugar falls. The same action causes mild salt and water loss, which lowers blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart and kidneys - explaining the benefits seen in heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
In depth
Empagliflozin is a potent, selective, reversible inhibitor of SGLT2 in the proximal tubule, inducing glycosuria independently of insulin. Consequent natriuresis and osmotic diuresis reduce preload and blood pressure; reduced intraglomerular pressure and improved renal oxygenation are thought to underpin nephroprotection. Outcome trials demonstrated reduced cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes, fewer heart failure hospitalisations across the ejection fraction spectrum, and slower chronic kidney disease progression.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, protects heart and kidney
- The kidney usually runs a sugar recovery operation, pulling every filtered glucose molecule back into the blood through the SGLT2 conveyor.
- Empagliflozin is a potent, selective, reversible inhibitor of SGLT2 in the proximal tubule, inducing glycosuria independently of insulin.
- Consequent natriuresis and osmotic diuresis reduce preload and blood pressure; reduced intraglomerular pressure and improved renal oxygenation are thought to underpin nephroprotection.
- Outcome trials demonstrated reduced cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes, fewer heart failure hospitalisations across the ejection fraction spectrum, and slower chronic kidney disease progression.
Target: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2)
The kidney transporter that reclaims filtered glucose into the blood; blocking it causes glucose excretion and shifts fluid and salt handling in ways that benefit the heart and kidneys.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- As an adjunct to diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure
- To reduce the risk of sustained decline in eGFR, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- In adults and children aged 10 years and above, for insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise, as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance, or in addition to other medicinal products
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: empagliflozin prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- MedlinePlus: empagliflozin
MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- National Cancer Institute: empagliflozin
National Cancer Institute
This page explains how the medicine works — it isn’t the patient leaflet. For anything that applies to you, read the leaflet that came with your medicine or ask your pharmacist.
MedUnfold provides educational content and is not medical advice. Always follow your local prescribing information and healthcare professional.