Common Side Effects of Jardiance: Managing Dehydration and UTI Risks

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. These medications work by helping your kidneys remove excess sugar from your body through urine.

While Jardiance offers important benefits—such as lowering blood sugar, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, and supporting heart and kidney health—it can also cause side effects. Among the most common are dehydration and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Understanding these jardiance side effects can help you recognize symptoms early and manage them safely.

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Why Jardiance Can Cause Dehydration

Jardiance lowers blood sugar by increasing the amount of glucose excreted in your urine. When sugar leaves your body through urine, it pulls water along with it. This process increases urination, which can lead to fluid loss.

For many people, this effect is mild. However, in some cases, especially in older adults or those taking diuretics ("water pills"), it can lead to dehydration.

Common Signs of Dehydration

Be aware of the following symptoms:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth or dry skin
• Dark yellow urine
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Reduced urination

In more serious cases, dehydration can cause:

• Fainting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion
• Very low blood pressure

If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to better understand whether they may be related to Dehydration, Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker can help you evaluate your condition in just a few minutes before speaking with a healthcare professional.

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Who Is at Higher Risk for Dehydration?

Certain groups are more vulnerable to this particular jardiance side effect:

• Adults over age 65
• People taking diuretics
• Individuals with low blood pressure
• Those with kidney problems
• People who experience vomiting or diarrhea
• Anyone not drinking enough fluids

Hot weather, intense exercise, or illness (like the flu or a stomach bug) can also increase your risk.

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How to Prevent Dehydration While Taking Jardiance

The good news is that dehydration is often preventable with simple steps:

Stay Hydrated

• Drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Increase fluid intake during hot weather or exercise.
• Don't wait until you feel thirsty.

Monitor Your Symptoms

• Pay attention to dizziness, especially when standing up.
• Watch urine color—pale yellow usually indicates good hydration.

Stand Up Slowly

Jardiance can cause a drop in blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension). Rise slowly from sitting or lying down.

Talk to Your Doctor About Other Medications

If you take blood pressure medications or diuretics, your doctor may adjust your dose to lower dehydration risk.

If you develop severe symptoms such as fainting, confusion, or very low blood pressure, seek medical care immediately.

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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Jardiance

Another common category of jardiance side effects involves urinary tract infections. Because Jardiance increases sugar in the urine, it creates an environment where bacteria and yeast can grow more easily.

Why UTIs Happen

Glucose in the urine provides fuel for bacteria. More frequent urination also means more exposure of the urinary tract to potential pathogens.

Women tend to have a higher risk of UTIs in general, but men can also develop infections while taking Jardiance.

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Symptoms of a UTI

Watch for:

• Burning or pain during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain (in women)
• Lower abdominal discomfort

More serious symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Back or side pain
• Nausea or vomiting

These could signal a kidney infection, which requires prompt medical treatment.

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Genital Yeast Infections

In addition to UTIs, Jardiance can increase the risk of genital yeast infections.

Symptoms in Women:

• Vaginal itching
• Thick white discharge
• Redness or swelling

Symptoms in Men:

• Redness or swelling of the penis
• Itching
• Rash
• Unusual discharge

These infections are typically treatable with antifungal medications but should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

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How to Reduce UTI and Yeast Infection Risk

You can lower your risk with practical steps:

• Stay well hydrated
• Urinate regularly—don't hold it
• Practice good genital hygiene
• Wear breathable cotton underwear
• Change out of wet or sweaty clothes promptly
• Keep blood sugar levels well controlled

If you experience recurrent infections, speak with your doctor. In some cases, a medication adjustment may be necessary.

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When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While most jardiance side effects are manageable, some rare but serious complications require urgent care.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Signs of severe dehydration (confusion, fainting, very low blood pressure)
• High fever with urinary symptoms
• Severe abdominal pain
• Rapid breathing
• Unusual fatigue with nausea and vomiting

Though uncommon, SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance have been associated with a rare condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), even when blood sugar is not extremely high. Symptoms may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Confusion

These symptoms can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment.

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Balancing Benefits and Risks

It's important to keep perspective. Jardiance has been shown in large clinical trials to:

• Lower blood sugar
• Reduce risk of cardiovascular death
• Decrease hospitalizations for heart failure
• Slow progression of kidney disease

For many patients, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, being informed about jardiance side effects allows you to use the medication safely and confidently.

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Practical Tips for Daily Management

To safely manage Jardiance treatment:

• Take the medication exactly as prescribed.
• Monitor your blood sugar regularly.
• Keep all scheduled medical appointments.
• Report new or worsening symptoms promptly.
• Stay hydrated every day.

If you're ever unsure whether a symptom is serious, it's better to check than to ignore it.

You may consider using Ubie's free AI-powered tool to check your symptoms for Dehydration if you notice concerning signs, but this should not replace professional medical advice.

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The Bottom Line

Jardiance side effects most commonly include dehydration and urinary tract infections. These occur because the medication works by removing excess sugar through urine, which also increases fluid loss and changes the urinary environment.

The key points to remember:

• Drink adequate fluids daily.
• Watch for dizziness and signs of fluid loss.
• Monitor for UTI or yeast infection symptoms.
• Seek prompt care for severe or unusual symptoms.

Most side effects are manageable when caught early. Open communication with your healthcare provider is essential.

If you experience symptoms that could be serious or life-threatening—such as severe dehydration, high fever, confusion, or symptoms of ketoacidosis—seek immediate medical care.

Always speak to a doctor about any concerning symptoms or before making changes to your medication. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the benefits and risks and ensure that Jardiance remains a safe and effective part of your treatment plan.