Metformin vs Jardiance: Two Diabetes Tablets Compared
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[Diabetes · Comparison]

Metformin vs Jardiance: how do the two diabetes tablets differ?

Approved uses · Dosing · Kidney rules · Warnings · Trial results

Short answer: Metformin is a generic tablet taken with meals, approved for blood sugar in type 2 diabetes from age 10. Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a once-daily tablet approved for the same use, and also for heart failure, chronic kidney disease and lowering cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with heart disease.12 One 24-week Jardiance label trial gave each alone and both together.

How do metformin and Jardiance compare side by side?

From the US metformin hydrochloride tablet (Zydus) and Jardiance labels.
Metformin (tablets)Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Drug classBiguanide1SGLT2 inhibitor2
Approved forBlood sugar in type 2 diabetes, adults and children 10 and older1Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes from age 10; heart failure; chronic kidney disease; lowering cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with heart disease2
Tablets500 mg, 850 mg and 1,000 mg110 mg and 25 mg2
Label dosing (adults)Start 500 mg twice a day or 850 mg once a day with meals; raise by 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every 2 weeks; up to 2,550 mg a day110 mg once a day in the morning, with or without food; may go to 25 mg for blood sugar2
Half-lifeAbout 6.2 hours in plasma1About 12.4 hours2
Kidney rulesNot used if eGFR is under 30; not started if eGFR is 30 to 451Not for blood sugar alone if eGFR is under 302
Boxed warningLactic acidosis1None2
Same-trial result, alone (24 weeks)HbA1c −1.2 (1,000 mg a day) and −1.8 (2,000 mg a day)2HbA1c −1.4 (10 mg) and −1.4 (25 mg)2
Most common side effectsDiarrhea 53% vs 12% on placebo; nausea or vomiting 26% vs 8%1Female genital yeast infections 5.4% to 6.4% vs 1.5%; more urination 3.2% to 3.4% vs 1.0%2

Reviewed . Half-life figures are shown only where the value Dose Track uses agrees with the cited source.

Have metformin and Jardiance been tested in the same trial?

Yes, in one trial reported in the Jardiance label. 1,364 adults new to treatment, with HbA1c between 7% and 10.5%, were randomized to one of 8 groups: Jardiance 10 or 25 mg alone, metformin 1,000 or 2,000 mg a day alone, or a combination of the two. After 24 weeks, from starting levels of about 8.6% to 8.9%, HbA1c fell:2

  • 1.4 points on Jardiance 10 mg and 1.4 on 25 mg alone
  • 1.2 points on metformin 1,000 mg and 1.8 on 2,000 mg alone
  • 1.9 to 2.1 points on the combinations

The trial tested each combination against its parts, and the combinations lowered HbA1c more. The label does not report a statistical test of Jardiance alone against metformin alone, so the single-drug numbers should not be read as one beating the other.2

What is Jardiance approved for that metformin is not?

Jardiance has outcome approvals from its own placebo-controlled trials: lowering cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease (EMPA-REG OUTCOME, hazard ratio 0.62 for cardiovascular death), lowering heart failure events, and slowing kidney decline (EMPA-KIDNEY, hazard ratio 0.72).2 The metformin label is approved for blood sugar only.1

What do the warnings cover?

  • Metformin: a boxed warning for lactic acidosis, with higher risk in kidney impairment, age 65 or older, contrast X-ray studies, surgery, heavy drinking and liver impairment. It can lower vitamin B12.1
  • Jardiance: ketoacidosis (it is not for type 1 diabetes), dehydration, genital and urinary infections, and holding it for at least 3 days before surgery if possible.2
  • Both: low blood sugar is more likely when either is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.12

More detail: metformin side effects, Jardiance side effects, the metformin and Jardiance dosing schedules, what to do if you miss a Jardiance dose, and the Metformin guide.

Metformin vs Ozempic: how do they differ?Generic daily tablet vs weekly GLP-1 pen Jardiance vs Farxiga: how do the two SGLT2 tablets compare?Empagliflozin vs dapagliflozin, from the labels Ozempic vs Jardiance: how do they differ for type 2 diabetes?Weekly GLP-1 pen vs daily SGLT2 tablet

Frequently asked questions

Is Jardiance stronger than metformin?+
In the one label trial that gave each alone, HbA1c fell 1.4 points on Jardiance and 1.2 to 1.8 points on metformin at 24 weeks. The label does not test one against the other, so it does not say either is stronger.2
Can metformin and Jardiance be taken together?+
Yes, that was studied. In the label trial, the combinations lowered HbA1c by 1.9 to 2.1 points, more than either drug alone.2 Your prescriber decides what fits you.
Which one is easier on the stomach?+
In its label trial, metformin caused diarrhea in 53% vs 12% on placebo. Jardiance's most common side effects were genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections; nausea was 1.1% to 2.3% vs 1.4%.12
What if my kidney function is low?+
Metformin is not used below eGFR 30 and not started between 30 and 45. Jardiance is not recommended for blood sugar alone below eGFR 30, but is approved for chronic kidney disease.12
Can I track metformin and Jardiance in Dose Track?+
Yes. Add both as daily medications with reminders at meals or in the morning, and see missed days at a glance.

Sources

  1. Metformin hydrochloride tablets (Zydus) prescribing information, boxed warning and sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.1, 12.3 and 14. DailyMed, version of July 2026.
  2. Jardiance (empagliflozin) tablets prescribing information, sections 1, 2, 3, 6.1, 8.6, 12.3 and 14. DailyMed, version of January 2026.

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