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Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) both belong to a class of medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors.

They work by blocking a protein in the kidneys called SGLT2, which normally helps the kidneys reabsorb sugar back into the blood. When it is blocked, more sugar leaves the body through urine, which lowers blood sugar levels. At the same time, the drugs help reduce blood pressure and make the heart and kidneys work more efficiently.

But which is the better option? This article breaks down the evidence, looking at clinical studies, real-world outcomes, and practical considerations to help you understand how these drugs compare.

Similarities & Differences Between Farxiga and Jardiance

Parameters Farxiga Jardiance
US Average Retail Price $655 $708
Pharma Giant Price $119 (generic version available for only $31) $139
Active Ingredient Dapagliflozin Empagliflozin
Drug Class SGLT2 inhibitor SGLT2 inhibitor
Approved Indications
  • Help control blood sugar in patients (aged 10 years and older) with type 2 diabetes.
  • Lower the risk of heart-related death and hospital visits in adults with heart failure.
  • Reduce hospitalizations for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or risk factors.
  • Slow kidney disease progression and reduce the risk of kidney failure, heart-related death, and hospitalization in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
  • Help control blood sugar in patients (aged 10 years and older) with type 2 diabetes.
  • Lower the risk of heart-related death and hospital visits in adults with heart failure.
  • Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease.
  • Slow kidney disease progression and reduce the risk of kidney failure, heart-related death, and hospitalization in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Route of Administration Oral (tablet) Oral (tablet)
Side Effects Genital mycotic infections, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infections Yeast infections in women and urinary tract infections.
Dosage and Administration The starting dose is 5 mg once daily and can be increased to 10 mg once daily if needed. The starting dose is 10 mg once daily and may be increased to 25 mg.

Which is more effective?

Jardiance and Farxiga are both SGLT2 inhibitors, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the approved indications. Here’s a comparison:

For Type 2 Diabetes

In a controlled clinical setting, Jardiance showed better blood sugar control.

Researchers followed 362 patients for 3 years. Half took Jardiance 25 mg daily, and the other half took Farxiga 10 mg daily, added on top of their existing three drugs.

    • Jardiance lowered HbA1c by 1.7% and fasting glucose by about 60 mg/dL.
    • Farxiga lowered HbA1c by 1.1% and fasting glucose by about 48 mg/dL.

Both drugs were generally safe, and the rates of side effects, heart problems, and death were similar.

For Weight Loss

Closeup of feet standing on weight scale with waist measurin tape on floor

Farxiga and Jardiance aren’t officially prescribed for weight loss, but research shows they can lead to some weight reduction as a side benefit.

In one clinical trial, people on Jardiance lost about 10 lbs, while those on Farxiga lost closer to 2 lbs. Jardiance also had added effects on cholesterol, raising HDL (“good” cholesterol) and lowering LDL (“bad” cholesterol).

Other studies found that the two drugs performed almost the same when compared to a placebo. On average, Jardiance users lost about 4.3 lbs and Farxiga users lost about 4.2 lbs.

Individual factors also affect results. For example, one study on Jardiance showed that men lost more weight than women (about 7.9 lbs vs. 5.1 lbs), and people with better kidney function lost more weight overall.

For Cardiovascular (CV) Risk Reduction

SGLT2 inhibitors are known to provide important heart benefits for people with type 2 diabetes.

In a large study of more than 280,000 patients taking either empagliflozin (Jardiance) or dapagliflozin (Farxiga), both drugs were found to be equally effective in lowering the risk of serious heart problems. This included:

    • Major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease)
    • Risk of death from any cause
    • Heart attacks
    • Strokes

These benefits were seen across all groups of patients, including men and women, and those with or without kidney disease or existing heart conditions.

Another long-term study with a three-year follow-up confirmed the same findings. Patients on either medication had similar protection against heart attack, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and death. The results were consistent whether patients had additional health conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease.

For Heart Failure

Both Farxiga and Jardiance are recommended for people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

In a 6-month study, Jardiance patients showed stronger results. Their hearts pumped more efficiently, they had fewer severe symptoms, less heart enlargement, and lower NT-proBNP levels, which indicate less heart strain.

A large US database study also favored Jardiance, showing a 10% lower hospitalization risk.

But Farxiga showed an advantage in another area. In a real-world study, people with type 2 diabetes taking Farxiga were less likely to develop atrial fibrillation than those on Jardiance.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure often worsen each other. Data from the Framingham Heart Study showed that people with AF who later developed heart failure faced a much higher risk of death, 2.7 times higher for men and 3.1 times higher for women. The reverse was also true. Patients with heart failure who later developed AF had higher death rates, 1.6 times higher for men and 2.7 times higher for women.

For Kidney Protection

People with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at higher risk for heart failure and early death from heart complications. In a large study from Denmark, Jardiance and Farxiga were equally effective in protecting kidney health over six years.

A study using health records from multiple US institutions reached the same conclusion. Overall results showed Farxiga and Jardiance were equally effective and safe for heart and kidney outcomes.

However, in patients who were not on consistent ACE inhibitors or ARBs (common blood pressure and kidney-protective drugs), those taking Jardiance had a higher risk of death.

Prescribing patterns also varied. Cardiologists tended to choose Farxiga, while endocrinologists and kidney specialists more often prescribed Jardiance.

Summary of their efficacy:

Jardiance has shown stronger results for lowering blood sugar and supporting weight loss in some trials, while both medications provide proven protection against major cardiovascular events and kidney complications. For heart failure, Jardiance may improve heart function more, though Farxiga has demonstrated an advantage in lowering the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Which causes more side effects?

It is not possible to say one drug causes more side effects than the other, since factors like the medicines you’re already taking and your medical history can all affect how likely you are to experience side effects.

Farxiga and Jardiance belong to the same drug class, so their side effect profiles are very similar. The most common issue for both is fungal infections in the genital area, such as balanitis in men and vulvovaginitis in women. They can also increase the chance of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Rare but more serious complications can occur, including:

    • Diabetic ketoacidosis (especially in people with type 1 diabetes)
    • Lower limb amputation
    • Dehydration or low body fluid levels
    • Kidney infections or severe UTIs that spread to the blood
    • Low blood sugar when combined with insulin or insulin-stimulating drugs
    • Severe infection around the genitals (Fournier’s gangrene)
    • Allergic reactions
    • Bone fractures

A 2021 review found that the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and UTIs was higher with Farxiga. Another study reported that Farxiga had a slightly lower risk of genital infections. Other risks (ketoacidosis, amputations, fractures, kidney injury, UTIs, hypoglycemia) were similar.

What are they used for?

Close up of woman holding tablets and glass of water, on blue background.

Farxiga and Jardiance have several shared uses:

  • Blood sugar control: Both can be used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.
  • Kidney protection: Both lower the risk of kidney complications, including end-stage kidney disease and worsening kidney function, in people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
  • Heart failure: Both reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalizations for heart failure in adults, whether or not they have diabetes.

The main difference is in their cardiovascular approvals:

  • Jardiance is approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
  • Farxiga is approved to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who have either established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors.

There are also some limitations:

  • Neither drug is recommended for type 1 diabetes.
  • For type 2 diabetes, Jardiance is not recommended if eGFR is below 30 mL/min/1.73 m², and Farxiga is not recommended if eGFR is below 45 mL/min/1.73 m².
  • Neither is recommended for chronic kidney disease in people with polycystic kidney disease or those recently treated with immunosuppressive therapy, as they are not expected to help in these cases.
  • They are not FDA-approved for weight loss, though they may lead to modest weight loss as a side effect.

Both drugs serve similar purposes but may be a better fit for different patients depending on their heart, kidney, or overall health status.

How are Jardiance and Farxiga taken?

Here’s a comparison of the dosage and administration for Jardiance and Farxiga:

Parameter Jardiance Farxiga
Route of Administration Oral tablet (once daily) Oral tablet (once daily)
Starting Dose 10 mg once daily 5 mg once daily
Maintenance Dose 25 mg once daily 10 mg once daily
Timing with Food Taken in the morning, with or without food Can be taken anytime, with or without food
Missed Dose Take as soon as remembered, but do not double the dose Take as soon as remembered, but do not double the dose
Surgery/Fasting Precaution Stop at least 3 days before major surgery Stop at least 3 days before major surgery

Which is more expensive?

The cost of Farxiga and Jardiance varies depending on factors like insurance coverage, pharmacy pricing, and available discounts.

Farxiga is the more affordable option, with a list price of $599.72 for a 30-day supply. It also has a generic version (dapagliflozin) available in the US, potentially lowering costs further. In contrast, Jardiance does not yet have a generic version and is priced slightly higher, at $629.43 for a one-month supply.

Researchers compared them in terms of value for money, based on the threshold recommended by the United States’ Institute for Clinical and Economic Review:

    • In diabetic patients, Jardiance gave better value (about $135,000 per event prevented) than Farxiga (about $202,000).
    • In non-diabetic patients, Farxiga gave better value (about $197,000) than Jardiance (about $394,000).
    • For preventing CKD progression, Jardiance had a better value ($225,000 vs. $428,000 for Farxiga).
    • For preventing cardiovascular death, Farxiga had better value ($1.6 million vs. $3.0 million for Jardiance).

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Summary

Jardiance and Farxiga work in similar ways, but their strengths differ. Jardiance lowers blood sugar more effectively and may support greater weight loss, while both drugs protect the heart and kidneys. Jardiance shows stronger results for heart failure, though Farxiga may reduce atrial fibrillation risk.

Side effects are mostly the same, with genital infections and UTIs being the most common. Farxiga is usually cheaper because a generic is available, while Jardiance costs more but can offer better value in certain cases.

The better option depends on your health history, side effect tolerance, and budget. Your doctor can help decide which drug fits your needs best.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Januvia and Jardiance can be taken together for individuals with advanced type 2 diabetes, but this combination is not typically a first-line treatment. It’s prescribed under medical supervision, considering factors such as kidney function, heart health, and potential side effects, including dehydration and urinary tract infections associated with Jardiance.

Jardiance has post-marketing reports of acute kidney injury, especially in people who are dehydrated, on diuretics, or with reduced eGFR. Kidney function should be checked before and during therapy. At the same time, large trials show empagliflozin slows CKD progression and reduces kidney and cardiovascular events in CKD (with or without diabetes). The risk rises mainly with volume depletion or preexisting impairment, but overall data support kidney protection when used appropriately.

Do not use Farxiga or dapagliflozin if you’ve had a serious allergy to it. The label also warns it is not for type 1 diabetes, and it may not improve glucose control in moderate-to-severe kidney impairment. It’s also not expected to work for certain polycystic kidney disease cases or during/after some immunosuppressive therapy.

List prices published by the manufacturers in 2025 show Farxiga at about $599.72 for 30 days and Jardiance at about $629.43, so Farxiga’s list price is slightly lower. Actual out-of-pocket costs vary widely by pharmacy and insurance.

Adults with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease benefit. Suitability must consider eGFR, ketoacidosis risk, and perioperative periods.

Most Medicare Part D plans cover both drugs, but copays depend on the plan formulary, phase of coverage, and any Extra Help/SPAP eligibility. Additionally, both Farxiga and Jardiance were named among the first Medicare drug price negotiations, with negotiated “maximum fair prices” to take effect in 2026, which may lower costs for beneficiaries.

The FDA has approved generic empagliflozin, but the US market launch has been delayed. Many sources projected availability “sometime in 2025,” yet multiple US patents extend into 2034, so timing depends on patent settlements and litigation. As of mid-2025, no widely available US generic was on pharmacy shelves.

Both Invokana and Jardiance are effective SGLT2 inhibitors that provide significant benefits for managing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, and kidney-related complications. But Jardiance stands out for its broader indications in heart failure and chronic kidney disease, while Invokana offers targeted benefits for diabetic nephropathy and albuminuria. Additionally, Jardiance demonstrates better cost-effectiveness, particularly in reducing cardiovascular events.

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