Does Jardiance Cause Weight Loss? What to Expect & How It Compares to GLP-1s
Complete guide to Jardiance (empagliflozin) for weight loss—how it works as an SGLT2 inhibitor, clinical trial weight loss data, comparison to semaglutide and tirzepatide, who should use it, side effects, and cost analysis.
The Short Answer
Yes, Jardiance causes modest weight loss—but much less than GLP-1 medications. Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs) over 24 weeks.
Key facts:
- Average weight loss: 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs) or about 2-3% of body weight
- How it works: SGLT2 inhibitor that causes your kidneys to excrete glucose (and calories) in urine
- Comparison to GLP-1s: Semaglutide: 15-20% weight loss; Tirzepatide: 20-25%; Jardiance: 2-3%
- FDA approval: Approved for type 2 diabetes and heart failure—NOT approved for weight loss
- Best for: People with type 2 diabetes + heart failure who need modest weight loss
- Cost: $550-650/month without insurance (vs $99/month for compounded GLP-1s)
How Jardiance Works for Weight Loss
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor—a class of diabetes medications that work completely differently from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
The SGLT2 Mechanism:
Step 1: Blocks Glucose Reabsorption in Kidneys
Normally, your kidneys filter glucose from your blood, then reabsorb it back into your bloodstream (you don't want to lose glucose in urine—it's valuable energy).
SGLT2 proteins in the kidneys are responsible for reabsorbing glucose. Jardiance blocks these proteins, preventing glucose reabsorption.
Step 2: Glucose Is Excreted in Urine
When SGLT2 proteins are blocked, glucose stays in your urine and gets eliminated from your body when you pee.
Result: You lose 50-80 grams of glucose per day in urine (about 200-320 calories).
Step 3: Calorie Loss = Weight Loss
Losing 200-320 calories per day adds up:
- 200-320 calories/day × 7 days = 1,400-2,240 calories/week lost
- 1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories
- Theoretical weight loss: 0.4-0.6 lbs per week or 1.6-2.4 lbs per month
Step 4: Modest, Steady Weight Loss
Most weight loss occurs in the first 3-6 months, then plateaus. Average total weight loss: 4-6 lbs.
Why Jardiance Causes LESS Weight Loss Than GLP-1s:
Jardiance doesn't suppress appetite. You still feel hungry and eat the same amount of food. It only causes weight loss through calorie excretion (200-320 cal/day).
GLP-1s suppress appetite dramatically, causing people to eat 500-1,000+ fewer calories per day—much more powerful than Jardiance's 200-320 calorie effect.
What Do Clinical Trials Show?
EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial (Type 2 Diabetes)
Study: Over 7,000 patients with type 2 diabetes taking Jardiance 10mg or 25mg daily
Weight loss results:
- Jardiance 10mg: -2.2 kg (-4.8 lbs) at 24 weeks
- Jardiance 25mg: -2.5 kg (-5.5 lbs) at 24 weeks
- Placebo: -0.5 kg (-1.1 lbs)
- Percentage of body weight: About 2-3% weight loss
Timeframe: Most weight loss occurred in first 12 weeks, then plateaued.
EMPEROR-Reduced Trial (Heart Failure)
Study: Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Weight loss results:
- Jardiance 10mg: -1.8 kg (-4.0 lbs) at 16 weeks
- Placebo: -0.3 kg (-0.7 lbs)
Meta-Analysis of SGLT2 Inhibitors
Study: Combined analysis of multiple SGLT2 inhibitor trials (including Jardiance, Farxiga, Invokana)
Weight loss results:
- Average weight loss: -1.8 kg (-4.0 lbs) across all SGLT2 inhibitors
- Range: -1.5 kg to -3.0 kg (-3.3 to -6.6 lbs) depending on dose and duration
- Consistency: Weight loss was consistent across different SGLT2 inhibitors
Jardiance vs. GLP-1 Medications: Weight Loss Comparison
Here's how Jardiance stacks up against GLP-1 medications for weight loss:
| Medication | Drug Class | Avg Weight Loss | % Body Weight | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardiance | SGLT2 inhibitor | 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs) | 2-3% | Glucose excretion in urine |
| Ozempic/Wegovy | GLP-1 agonist | 12-18 kg (26-40 lbs) | 15-20% | Appetite suppression |
| Mounjaro/Zepbound | Dual GIP/GLP-1 | 15-24 kg (33-53 lbs) | 20-25% | Appetite suppression |
| Saxenda | GLP-1 agonist | 5-9 kg (11-20 lbs) | 7-10% | Appetite suppression |
| Phentermine | Stimulant | 4-7 kg (9-15 lbs) | 5-8% | Appetite suppression |
Key Takeaway:
Jardiance produces about 1/7th the weight loss of semaglutide (Wegovy) and 1/10th the weight loss of tirzepatide (Zepbound). If your primary goal is weight loss, GLP-1 medications are significantly more effective. Jardiance is best for patients who need its cardiovascular and kidney protection benefits—weight loss is a bonus, not the main purpose.
Who Should Use Jardiance for Weight Loss?
Good Candidates for Jardiance:
- Type 2 diabetes + heart failure: Jardiance is FDA-approved for reducing heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death. If you have both conditions, it's an excellent choice.
- Type 2 diabetes + chronic kidney disease: SGLT2 inhibitors protect kidney function and slow progression of diabetic kidney disease.
- Type 2 diabetes + cardiovascular disease: Proven to reduce risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, death).
- People who want modest weight loss as a secondary benefit: If your primary goal is blood sugar control and heart protection, and weight loss is a bonus, Jardiance works well.
- People who can't tolerate GLP-1s: If you tried Ozempic or Mounjaro and had severe nausea/vomiting, Jardiance doesn't cause GI side effects.
Poor Candidates for Jardiance:
- Primary goal is significant weight loss: If you need to lose 30+ lbs, GLP-1s are 5-10x more effective. Jardiance won't get you there.
- No diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease: Jardiance is not FDA-approved for weight loss alone. Insurance won't cover it without these conditions.
- Recurrent UTIs or yeast infections: SGLT2 inhibitors increase risk of genital and urinary infections (glucose in urine promotes bacterial/fungal growth).
- History of diabetic ketoacidosis: SGLT2 inhibitors can rarely cause euglycemic DKA (a dangerous condition).
- Severe kidney disease (eGFR <30): Jardiance doesn't work well when kidney function is very poor.
Can You Combine Jardiance + GLP-1s?
Yes—and this is common practice. Many endocrinologists prescribe Jardiance + semaglutide (or tirzepatide) together for patients with type 2 diabetes who need:
- Maximum weight loss
- Cardiovascular and kidney protection
- Optimal blood sugar control
Benefits of combination therapy:
- Complementary mechanisms (appetite suppression + glucose excretion)
- Greater weight loss than either drug alone
- Better A1C reduction
- Heart and kidney protection from Jardiance
Downside: High cost ($650/month for Jardiance + $99-300/month for GLP-1 = $750-950/month total).
Jardiance Side Effects
Jardiance has a different side effect profile than GLP-1 medications:
Common Side Effects (10%+ of users):
- Genital yeast infections: 10-15% of users (more common in women). Caused by glucose in urine promoting yeast growth. Treatable with antifungal creams.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): 8-10% of users. More frequent urination + glucose creates environment for bacteria.
- Increased urination: Very common. You're peeing out extra glucose, so urine volume increases. Expect 1-2 extra bathroom trips per day.
- Dehydration: 5-8%. Increased urination can lead to dehydration if you don't drink enough water (aim for 80-100oz daily).
- Low blood pressure/dizziness: 3-5%. Dehydration can cause orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing).
Serious Side Effects (Rare but Important):
- Fournier's gangrene: Rare but serious infection of genital area (0.01% incidence). Seek immediate medical attention if genital pain, redness, swelling.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Rare. Can occur even with normal blood sugar levels ("euglycemic DKA"). Stop Jardiance if vomiting, abdominal pain, or difficulty breathing.
- Acute kidney injury: Risk increases if dehydrated or taking certain medications (NSAIDs, diuretics).
- Lower limb amputation: Slightly increased risk seen in some trials (especially with canagliflozin, but possible with all SGLT2 inhibitors).
Side Effects Jardiance Does NOT Cause (vs. GLP-1s):
- No nausea or vomiting (unlike GLP-1s which cause nausea in 20-40% of users)
- No diarrhea or constipation (Jardiance doesn't affect GI motility)
- No sulfur burps or bloating
- No fatigue from undereating (Jardiance doesn't suppress appetite)
This makes Jardiance much better tolerated from a GI perspective—but weight loss is minimal.
Jardiance Cost vs. GLP-1 Medications
| Medication | Monthly Cost (No Insurance) | With Insurance Copay | Compounded Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jardiance | $550-650 | $10-60 (if covered) | Not available |
| Ozempic (brand) | $900-1,000 | $25-100 (if covered) | $99-300 |
| Wegovy (brand) | $1,300-1,500 | Often not covered | $99-300 |
| Mounjaro (brand) | $1,000-1,100 | $25-100 (if covered) | $99-300 |
| Compounded Semaglutide | $99-300 | Not applicable | Yes |
| Compounded Tirzepatide | $99-300 | Not applicable | Yes |
Cost Analysis:
Jardiance is expensive ($550-650/month) and produces minimal weight loss (4-6 lbs).
Compounded GLP-1s cost $99-300/month and produce 10-20x more weight loss (30-50+ lbs).
Bottom line: For weight loss specifically, compounded GLP-1s offer far better value. Jardiance only makes financial sense if you have diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease and insurance covers it.
Want 10x More Weight Loss? Try GLP-1 Medications at $99/Month
At CoreAge RX, we provide premium compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at an affordable price—with proven weight loss results that far exceed SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance.
What You Get:
- ✓ Premium compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide for just $99/month
- ✓ 15-25% body weight loss (vs 2-3% with Jardiance)
- ✓ Board-certified providers who manage your entire treatment
- ✓ Side effect management and dietary guidance
- ✓ Free shipping directly to your door
- ✓ No insurance needed and no prior authorization hassles
- ✓ Direct messaging with your provider for questions and support
Why Choose GLP-1s Over Jardiance for Weight Loss:
- 10-20x more weight loss: Semaglutide/tirzepatide produce 30-50+ lbs loss vs 4-6 lbs with Jardiance
- Lower cost: $99/month vs $550-650/month for Jardiance without insurance
- FDA-approved for weight loss: Wegovy and Zepbound are approved for obesity; Jardiance is not
- Proven cardiovascular benefits: Semaglutide also reduces heart attack and stroke risk (SELECT trial)
Takes 5 minutes. Most people approved within 24 hours. Get real weight loss results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can I lose on Jardiance?
Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs) or about 2-3% of body weight over 24 weeks. Most weight loss occurs in the first 12 weeks, then plateaus. For a 200 lb person, expect to lose 4-6 lbs total. This is significantly less than GLP-1 medications, which produce 15-25% weight loss (30-50 lbs for a 200 lb person).
Is Jardiance approved for weight loss?
No. Jardiance is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and reducing cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is NOT approved for weight loss or obesity. Weight loss is a secondary benefit, not the primary indication. If your only goal is weight loss without diabetes or heart disease, insurance will not cover Jardiance.
Which is better for weight loss: Jardiance or Ozempic?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is FAR superior for weight loss. Ozempic produces 15-20% body weight loss (30-40 lbs on average) compared to Jardiance's 2-3% loss (4-6 lbs). Ozempic works by dramatically suppressing appetite, while Jardiance only causes modest calorie loss through glucose excretion in urine. For weight loss specifically, semaglutide is 8-10 times more effective than Jardiance.
Can I take Jardiance and a GLP-1 together?
Yes, and this is common practice for people with type 2 diabetes who need maximum weight loss and cardiovascular protection. The medications work through different mechanisms (appetite suppression + glucose excretion) and complement each other well. However, the combination is expensive ($750-950/month without insurance) and both medications must be medically necessary for insurance to cover them.
What are the main side effects of Jardiance?
The most common side effects are genital yeast infections (10-15%, more common in women), urinary tract infections (8-10%), increased urination, and dehydration. Rare but serious side effects include Fournier's gangrene, diabetic ketoacidosis, and acute kidney injury. Unlike GLP-1 medications, Jardiance does NOT cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation—it's much better tolerated from a GI perspective.
How does Jardiance cause weight loss if it doesn't suppress appetite?
Jardiance blocks glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, causing 50-80 grams of glucose (200-320 calories) to be excreted in urine daily. Over time, this calorie loss adds up to modest weight loss (4-6 lbs over 6 months). However, because appetite is not suppressed, most people continue eating the same amount—which is why weight loss is limited. GLP-1s suppress appetite and reduce caloric intake by 500-1,000+ calories per day, producing much greater weight loss.
Is Jardiance worth it for weight loss alone?
No. At $550-650/month without insurance, Jardiance is expensive and produces minimal weight loss (4-6 lbs). It's only worth the cost if you have type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease—conditions where Jardiance provides significant cardiovascular and kidney protection benefits. For weight loss alone, compounded GLP-1 medications ($99-300/month) are far more cost-effective and produce 10-20x more weight loss.
The Bottom Line
Jardiance does cause weight loss, but the amount is modest—about 4-6 lbs (2-3% of body weight) over 6 months. This is significantly less than GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (30-40 lbs) and tirzepatide (40-50 lbs).
Jardiance is best for:
- People with type 2 diabetes + heart failure (Jardiance reduces heart failure hospitalization)
- People with type 2 diabetes + chronic kidney disease (slows kidney disease progression)
- People with type 2 diabetes + cardiovascular disease (reduces heart attack/stroke risk)
- People who want blood sugar control and heart/kidney protection, with weight loss as a bonus
Jardiance is NOT ideal for:
- People whose primary goal is significant weight loss (GLP-1s are 10x more effective)
- People without diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease (not FDA-approved, insurance won't cover)
- People on a budget ($550-650/month vs $99/month for compounded GLP-1s)
If you need serious weight loss, GLP-1 medications (semaglutide or tirzepatide) are the clear choice. If you have diabetes with heart or kidney complications, Jardiance is an excellent medication—and modest weight loss is a nice bonus.