Jardiance is an SGLT-2 inhibitor oral medication that is used to treat the blood sugar and A1C levels in people who have type 2 diabetes. 

There are several different doses available. How much you take will be determined based on your health history, health goals, and lifestyle. 

Your dose can only be determined by you and your doctor. 

This article will explain everything you need to know about Jardiance dosing and will answer common questions people have when they first start taking the medication. 

Image of Jardiance medication boxes

Table of Contents

How does Jardiance work in the body?

Jardiance lowers blood sugar levels by preventing your kidneys from reabsorbing sugars from the food you eat. Instead, those sugar and extra calories leave your body through your urine. 

This is how many people who take Jardiance lower their blood sugar and A1C levels and also lose weight. 

The drug is most effective when combined with diet, exercise, and prescribed diabetes medications.

What dose do you typically start with? 

To start, most people will begin on the smallest dose, which is 10 mg, taken once per day via a pill or tablet. 

You can take Jardiance with or without food. No fasting is required either before or after taking the medication. 

How and when can you increase your dose?

Your doctor will not want to make any changes to your routine at first. 

They will usually require that you stay on your starting dose of 10 mg, taken once per day for four weeks (or 30 days) before increasing your dose.

They do this to see how your body is adjusting to the medication. Sometimes improved blood sugar control can take several days or weeks. 

Additionally, your doctor will want to be sure that you’re not experiencing too many adverse side effects on your current dose before increasing it any higher. 

You may want to ask your doctor about increasing your dose if:

  • You have been taking 10 mg of Jardiance for four weeks or more 
  • You are not experiencing too many adverse side effects 
  • You’re not seeing an improvement in your blood sugar levels

What is the right dose for me?

Never take any more Jardiance than is prescribed for you. 

There are two doses available for Jardiance: either 10 mg or 25 mg, taken once per day with or without food. 

Many people achieve great glycemic control by taking 10 mg once per day. 

However, some people do need to increase their daily dose to 25 mg if they’re not achieving good glycemic control with 10 mg taken once per day. 

If, however, you are on 25 mg and are experiencing severe adverse side effects, talk to your doctor about lowering your dose back down to 10 mg. 

Read more: The Common and Serious Side Effects of Jardiance

What is the right dose for weight loss?

Since Jardiance is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss, there is no recommended dose for weight loss.

However, many people do lose weight while taking the medication. In a trial, people taking 10 mg of Jardiance lost 2.5% of their body weight. 

With the 25 mg dose, people lost an average of 2.8% of their total body weight. This correlates to between 4-9 pounds lost for someone who weighs between 200-300 pounds. 

In a 2018 systematic review, Jardiance weight loss is usually modest, but people can achieve between 3-5% total body weight reduction through continual treatment of between 9 months to 2 years. 

Other studies have found that Jardiance use is associated with a reduction in weight, waist circumference, and adiposity indices versus people taking the placebo. 

Can I split my dose in half?

No. Jardiance pills should never be crushed, split, or chewed. Check in with your doctor if you want to take more or less of the medication. 

Alternatively, if you’re having trouble swallowing pills, ask your doctor for strategies to help you. 

They may suggest an alternative medication that can be taken by subcutaneous injection instead. 

What is the maximum daily dose?

The maximum daily dose of Jardiance is 25 mg, taken once per day. 

Never take two doses of Jardiance within the same 24-hour period. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you’ve taken too much Jardiance, 

Taking too much Jardiance can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, especially if you’re also on insulin. Low blood sugar levels, if left untreated, can be fatal.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of extremely low blood sugar that include:

  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Increased heart rate 
  • Shallow breathing
  • Shakiness 
  • Grogginess 
  • Fatigue
  • Unconsciousness 

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you suspect that you’ve overdosed on Jardiance. 

What happens if I stop taking Jardiance?

Do not stop taking any diabetes medications without the guidance of your doctor. 

If you stop taking Jardiance, you may experience increased blood sugar and A1C levels, and you may gain weight. 

If you are experiencing severe side effects, Jardiance doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, or your health insurance doesn’t cover the medication, talk with your doctor about alternatives that can be a good replacement for you, such as metformin, Rybelsus, Farxiga, or Invokana. 

What if I forget to take a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Just try and take your next dose as soon as possible. 

However, never take two doses of Jardiance within a 24-hour period. 

If you’re more than halfway through the day after forgetting to take your medication, it is okay to skip a day and just wait until tomorrow’s dose. 

Jardiance is most effective when it is taken consistently, along with diet and exercise, so try not to forget to take your medication regularly. 

If you’re struggling to take a daily dose of medication, talk with your doctor about alternative diabetes medications that can be taken once per week instead, such as Ozempic, Trulicity, or Mounjaro.