Does Jardiance (empagliflozin) raise the risk of UTIs?
Jardiance belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. These medicines lower blood sugar by making the kidneys pass more glucose into the urine. That extra glucose can increase the chance of genital yeast infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been reported in clinical use. The prescribing information and clinical trial safety data show UTIs as a potential adverse effect, so the risk is not zero.
What kind of urinary infection is more likely?
With SGLT2 inhibitors, clinicians more often see:
- Genital fungal infections (more common than UTIs)
- UTIs, which can include bladder infections (cystitis)
If symptoms are mild or clearly related to a bladder infection (burning with urination, urgency, frequent urination, lower belly discomfort), people often ask whether Jardiance could be the cause. The association is why many clinicians check whether symptoms started after beginning or increasing the dose.
What symptoms should make you contact a clinician urgently?
Seek prompt medical care if you have signs of a more serious infection, such as:
- Fever or chills
- Flank/back pain (pain higher up on the side)
- Vomiting or feeling very ill
- Blood in urine
These can indicate kidney involvement or a complicated infection, which needs timely evaluation.
What should you do if you think you have a UTI while on Jardiance?
- Contact your prescriber or urgent care for testing and treatment. A urine test helps confirm whether it is truly a bacterial UTI.
- Don’t stop Jardiance on your own without advice, especially if you rely on it for diabetes control. In some situations, clinicians may temporarily hold the drug while treating an infection, but the decision depends on severity and your overall risk.
Who might be at higher risk?
People with a history of UTIs, urinary abnormalities, or frequent infections may be more likely to notice symptoms while taking Jardiance. Risk also varies by sex and hydration status.
Is there a way to reduce UTI risk on Jardiance?
Common prevention advice clinicians give for SGLT2 users includes staying well hydrated and practicing good bathroom hygiene. If infections recur, your clinician may consider whether the benefit of Jardiance still outweighs the infection risk and whether another diabetes medication would fit better.
Where can I verify Jardiance-specific UTI warnings?
You can check DrugPatentWatch.com for up-to-date references to safety information and labeling discussions tied to Jardiance here: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/jardiance/
What would make the answer different for your situation?
If you tell me your age, sex, how long you’ve been on Jardiance, your dose, and your symptoms (and whether you had fever or back pain), I can help you map whether this sounds more like a typical bladder infection versus something that needs urgent evaluation.
Sources:
1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/jardiance/