Table of Contents
I. Jardiance Dosage and Administration
II. Jardiance Timing and Compliance
III. Food and Drink Considerations with Jardiance
IV. Jardiance Monitoring and Follow-Up
Living well with diabetes takes dedication and the right resources. For many, medications like Jardiance make effective management of this chronic condition possible.
This guide provides an overview of how Jardiance works, how to take it properly, and tips for integrating it into your diabetes care plan.
Jardiance Dosage and Administration
Jardiance is available as an oral tablet in two different strengths: 10 mg and 25 mg. Each tablet has a distinct appearance:
- The 10 mg tablets are pale yellow, round, and have “S 10” engraved on one side.
- The 25 mg tablets are pale yellow, oval-shaped, and have “S 25” engraved on one side. [1]
Your doctor will prescribe the Jardiance dosage that is right for your specific health needs. The FDA has approved certain dosing recommendations based on the condition being treated:
- To lower the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with heart failure: Take 10 mg once daily, with or without food.
- To reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, kidney function decline, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease: Take 10 mg once daily, with or without food.
- To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Take 10 mg once daily, with or without food.
- For blood sugar control in adults and children ages 10 and up with type 2 diabetes: Take 10 mg once daily, with or without food. If additional glycemic control is needed, the dosage can be increased to 25 mg once daily. [1]
Jardiance can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed one. [1]
If you need to undergo major surgery or a procedure that requires prolonged fasting, stop taking Jardiance at least three days beforehand. You can resume taking it once you are clinically stable and can resume oral intake. Your doctor will advise you on when to restart Jardiance in this situation. [1]
Jardiance Timing and Compliance
To get the most out of your Jardiance medication, it's important to take it consistently and as your doctor prescribes. Jardiance should be taken once daily, at the same time each day. While you can take it in the morning or evening, pick a time and stick to it daily. Maintaining a regular schedule will ensure you remember to take your medication and allow it to work effectively. [2]
Jardiance can take up to 6 months to reach its full effect, so daily compliance is key. [3] Here are some tips to help you establish an easy routine:
- Use your daily activities as reminders. Take your pill when you wake up, brush your teeth, eat a meal, exercise, or go to bed. Connecting it to things you do daily makes it easy to remember.
- Set an alarm. An alarm on your phone or clock is a simple way to remind yourself at the same time each day. When the alarm goes off, take your pill.
- Use a pill organizer. An organizer with sections for each day of the week provides an easy visual reminder of whether you’ve taken your medication each day. If Tuesday’s section still has pills, you know you missed that day.
- Keep your pill bottle in plain sight. Place the bottle on your countertop, by your toothbrush, on your exercise equipment, or wherever you're likely to see it when you need to take your pill. [4]
Food and Drink Considerations with Jardiance
When it comes to taking Jardiance, the good news is that you can take it with or without food. However, paying attention to your food and drink choices while using this medication is crucial.
- Stay hydrated: Jardiance can lead to water loss through increased urination. [3] To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids such as water, clear broths, and electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte. [5]
- Limit caffeine from coffee, tea, and soda, as they can worsen dehydration. [5]
- Limit alcohol: Alcohol, like Jardiance, can increase urination. Combining them may increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure. Additionally, alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of ketoacidosis, as it stimulates the production of ketones in the body. Since Jardiance also promotes ketone production, the accumulation of ketones can lead to increased acidity in the blood. [6]
Jardiance Monitoring and Follow-Up
When taking Jardiance, routine monitoring and follow-up with your doctor is important to ensure the medication is working properly and your diabetes is well-managed. Let’s walk through what that looks like:
Daily Checks:
- Test blood sugar levels several times per day as instructed by your doctor
- Examine feet for any cuts, swelling, sores, or bruises
- Take medications as prescribed [7]
Every 6 Months:
- Get A1c tested to measure average blood sugar over time
- See your dentist for a checkup and cleaning
- Visit your doctor for blood pressure, weight check, review of care plan and medications [7]
Annual Exams:
- Get a flu shot to protect against infection
- Have kidney function tested
- Check cholesterol levels
- Get a thorough eye exam
- Have hearing evaluated
- Get your feet thoroughly examined by your doctor [7]
It's crucial to know that some tests used for diabetes may not produce accurate results when taking Jardiance. In these cases, your doctor will suggest alternate monitoring methods. Two diabetes tests that Jardiance impacts are included below:
- Urine glucose test: Jardiance increases glucose excretion in urine, leading to falsely positive urine glucose readings. Your doctor will recommend alternate methods to monitor blood sugar control while on Jardiance.
- 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5 AG) assay: This test is unreliable for assessing blood sugar control in patients taking Jardiance. Your doctor can advise you on the best alternative tests. [1]
Lifestyle Considerations
When you have type 2 diabetes, it's important to embrace lifestyle changes that support your health and work together with medications like Jardiance. Focusing on the following areas can help keep your diabetes under control and prevent diabetes-related complications:
- Eating healthy: What you eat makes a big difference in diabetes management. Focus on nutritious whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Read food labels to limit added sugars. Control portion sizes and maintain a healthy weight. All these dietary strategies will support your diabetes treatment plan.
- Regular physical activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, like brisk daily walking. Losing 5 to 10% of your body weight through diet and exercise can significantly lower your diabetes risk. If you've already been diagnosed, staying active will help control blood sugar and prevent complications.
- Quit smoking: Smoking not only increases your chances of developing diabetes but also raises blood sugar levels, making it more challenging to control the condition. Quitting smoking is a crucial step towards managing diabetes effectively and reducing the associated health risks.
- Manage stress: When you’re stressed, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy patterns like overeating, smoking, or not sleeping enough. All these behaviors can worsen diabetes. [8]
Conclusion
Managing your diabetes with Jardiance is a team effort between you and your healthcare provider. By working together, you can find the right dosage and administration schedule to keep your blood sugar under control.
But medication is only one part of the equation. Making thoughtful lifestyle choices is just as important. Eating nutritious foods, staying active, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep all empower you on your journey towards better health.
To learn more about Jardiance, visit our Jardiance blog page.
The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.