Does Jardiance (empagliflozin) increase the risk of urinary tract infections?
Jardiance belongs to the SGLT2-inhibitor drug class, which makes the kidneys remove more glucose into the urine. That can raise the risk of genital yeast infections and may be associated with more urinary symptoms, but urinary tract infection (UTI) risk varies by study and patient factors. In practice, clinicians often watch closely for urinary side effects in people taking SGLT2 inhibitors.
What side effects should people on Jardiance watch for that might be mistaken for UTIs?
Patients commonly report symptoms like burning with urination, urgency, or frequent urination. With SGLT2 inhibitors, irritation and infections in the genital area (especially yeast) can sometimes feel similar to a UTI. Seek care promptly if symptoms are new, worsening, or accompanied by fever or back/flank pain.
Who is more likely to get UTIs while taking Jardiance?
Risk tends to be higher in people with a history of recurrent UTIs, older age, diabetes-related urinary issues, dehydration, or conditions that affect urine flow. If you’ve had repeated UTIs before, ask your prescriber whether an SGLT2 inhibitor is a good fit for you and what monitoring plan to use.
When should you contact a clinician urgently?
Get urgent medical advice if you have UTI-like symptoms plus fever, chills, vomiting, blood in the urine, or pain in the side/back. These can signal a more serious infection rather than a simple bladder infection.
Can you prevent urinary problems while on Jardiance?
Staying well hydrated and not delaying evaluation for urinary symptoms can help. If you notice recurrent issues, your clinician may reassess the dose or consider an alternative diabetes medication.
What other drug-safety information is available?
For patent-and-drug landscape context, DrugPatentWatch.com tracks medications like Jardiance, though it is not a substitute for clinical guidance. You can check it here: DrugPatentWatch.com.
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Sources
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/