When you take empagliflozin, a type of SGLT2 inhibitor used to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Also known as Jardiance, it works by helping your kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine. But this same mechanism can trigger serious, sometimes life-threatening problems if you don’t know the warning signs.
One of the biggest dangers with empagliflozin, a type of SGLT2 inhibitor used to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Also known as Jardiance, it works by helping your kidneys flush out excess glucose through urine. But this same mechanism can trigger serious, sometimes life-threatening problems if you don’t know the warning signs.
One of the biggest dangers with SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes drugs that cause the kidneys to remove sugar from the body. This group includes empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin. is diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous buildup of acids in the blood caused by the body burning fat instead of sugar for energy. Unlike typical diabetic ketoacidosis, this version can happen even when blood sugar isn’t sky-high—making it harder to catch. People on empagliflozin have reported nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, and extreme fatigue before hospitalization. It’s not rare. The FDA has issued multiple warnings about it since 2015, and cases keep showing up in emergency rooms.
Another hidden risk is kidney injury, a sudden drop in kidney function that can occur when dehydration or other stressors hit. Empagliflozin pulls fluid out of your body through urine. If you’re sick, sweating a lot, not drinking enough, or taking blood pressure meds like ACE inhibitors, your kidneys can get overwhelmed. Some patients needed dialysis after just a few days on the drug. It’s not just older adults—healthy people on empagliflozin have had acute kidney failure after a bout of the flu or a long flight.
Then there’s the risk of genital infections, yeast and bacterial infections caused by sugar in the urine. These aren’t just uncomfortable—they can turn serious. Men get balanitis, women get recurrent yeast infections, and in rare cases, the infection spreads to the bloodstream. Most doctors tell you to wash well and stay dry, but few warn you that these infections can come back even after treatment, especially if you keep taking the drug.
And let’s not forget the less obvious stuff: low blood pressure, bone fractures, and even a rare but deadly condition called Fournier’s gangrene—a fast-spreading infection in the genital area. The FDA added this to the label in 2018 after dozens of cases were reported. It’s not common, but when it happens, it’s often too late.
Empagliflozin isn’t dangerous for everyone. For many, it lowers heart failure risk and protects the kidneys over time. But that benefit only matters if you’re monitored closely. If you’re on this drug and you feel off—no matter how small the symptom—don’t wait. Don’t assume it’s just stress or dehydration. Call your doctor. Get tested. Your body is giving you signals.
The posts below dive into real cases, warning signs you might miss, and safer alternatives if empagliflozin isn’t right for you. You’ll find guides on spotting early symptoms, what to ask your pharmacist, and how to balance benefits with risks—without guessing.
Fournier’s gangrene is a rare but deadly infection linked to SGLT-2 inhibitor diabetes drugs. Know the emergency signs-pain, swelling, fever-and act fast. Your life could depend on it.
