SGLT2 Inhibitor Comparison

Jardiance vs Farxiga

A clinical side-by-side of empagliflozin and dapagliflozin — covering indications, cardiovascular trial data, heart failure coverage, kidney protection, and shared risks.

Jardiance
empagliflozin · Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly
SGLT2 Inhibitor Type 2 Diabetes HFrEF CKD
Farxiga
dapagliflozin · AstraZeneca
SGLT2 Inhibitor Type 2 Diabetes HFrEF + HFpEF CKD
⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Both medications require a prescription. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or switching any medication.

Head-to-Head

Full Comparison

Key clinical and pharmacological attributes side by side.

Attribute Jardiance (empagliflozin) Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
Drug class SGLT2 inhibitor (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) SGLT2 inhibitor (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2)
Manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly AstraZeneca
Type 2 diabetes FDA-approved as adjunct to diet and exercise FDA-approved as adjunct to diet and exercise
Heart failure — HFrEF FDA-approved (regardless of diabetes status)
Both approved 		FDA-approved (regardless of diabetes status)
Both approved
Heart failure — HFpEF Not approved for HFpEF FDA-approved (EF ≥ 40%, based on DELIVER trial)
Farxiga advantage
Chronic kidney disease FDA-approved (EMPA-KIDNEY trial data) FDA-approved (DAPA-CKD trial data)
Key CV outcomes trial EMPA-REG OUTCOME — reduced CV mortality, MI, stroke in T2D with CV disease DECLARE-TIMI 58 — reduced HF hospitalization and CV death in T2D
Heart failure trial(s) EMPEROR-Reduced (HFrEF) DAPA-HF (HFrEF) · DELIVER (HFpEF)
Available strengths 10 mg, 25 mg tablets 5 mg, 10 mg tablets
Weight effect Modest weight loss (glycosuria-mediated) Modest weight loss (glycosuria-mediated)
Blood pressure Modest systolic BP reduction (~3–5 mmHg) Modest systolic BP reduction (~3–5 mmHg)
Genital yeast infection Increased risk (class effect) Increased risk (class effect)
UTI risk Modestly increased Modestly increased
Euglycemic DKA Risk present, especially peri-operatively or with carbohydrate restriction Risk present, especially peri-operatively or with carbohydrate restriction
Hypoglycemia risk Low on its own; higher if combined with insulin or sulfonylurea Low on its own; higher if combined with insulin or sulfonylurea
Mechanism of action Blocks SGLT2 in the proximal tubule → reduces glucose reabsorption → glycosuria, natriuresis Blocks SGLT2 in the proximal tubule → reduces glucose reabsorption → glycosuria, natriuresis
Generic available Not yet widely available in US (as of 2026) Not yet widely available in US (as of 2026)

Clinical Decision Points

Key Differences

Where these two agents diverge most clinically.

Heart Failure Indication
Farxiga's HF approval covers both reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Jardiance is approved only for HFrEF. For patients with HFpEF, Farxiga is the established SGLT2 choice.
JardianceHFrEF only
FarxigaHFrEF + HFpEF
Landmark CV Trial
EMPA-REG OUTCOME (Jardiance) was the first large SGLT2 outcomes trial and showed a striking 38% relative reduction in CV mortality — a finding that reshaped diabetes cardiology. DECLARE-TIMI 58 (Farxiga) had a lower-risk population and showed primary benefit in HF hospitalization reduction.
HFpEF Evidence
The DELIVER trial established Farxiga as effective across a wide range of ejection fractions, including mildly reduced and preserved EF. This represents one of the few proven pharmacological interventions for HFpEF, where therapeutic options have historically been limited.
JardianceNo HFpEF data
FarxigaDELIVER trial ✓
Available Strengths
Jardiance is available in 10 mg and 25 mg tablets. Farxiga is available in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. Neither is used in children with type 2 diabetes younger than 10 years old.
Jardiance10 mg · 25 mg
Farxiga5 mg · 10 mg
CKD Trial Populations
DAPA-CKD (Farxiga) enrolled patients with or without type 2 diabetes, demonstrating kidney protection across a broad CKD population. EMPA-KIDNEY (Jardiance) similarly enrolled both diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients. Both trials showed eGFR-preserving and hospitalization-reducing benefits.
Manufacturer & Formulary
Jardiance is co-marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly. Farxiga is marketed by AstraZeneca. Insurance formulary placement and copay assistance programs differ by plan; patients may find one preferred over the other based on their specific coverage.

Class Effects

What They Share

Properties common to both as SGLT2 inhibitors.

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Cardiovascular protection Both reduce risk of CV death and HF hospitalization in high-risk patients, including those without diabetes.
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Kidney protection Both reduce eGFR decline and kidney failure risk in CKD, independent of glucose-lowering effects.
⚖️
Weight loss Modest 2–4 kg weight reduction via glycosuria. Not the primary indication, but clinically meaningful for many patients.
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Blood pressure lowering Both produce a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure (~3–5 mmHg) through osmotic natriuresis.
⚠️
Genital yeast infections Class-wide risk due to glucosuria creating a favorable environment for candidal overgrowth, especially in women.
🔬
Euglycemic DKA risk Rare but serious; most likely with insulin dose reduction, prolonged fasting, surgery, or very-low-carb diets.
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No intrinsic hypoglycemia Glucose-lowering is insulin-independent and self-limited; hypoglycemia occurs only when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
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Not for type 1 diabetes Neither drug is FDA-approved for type 1 diabetes in the US, and use in T1D significantly elevates DKA risk.

Common Questions

FAQ

The most clinically significant difference is the breadth of their heart failure indications. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is approved for both heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), based on the DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials. Jardiance (empagliflozin) is currently approved only for HFrEF, based on the EMPEROR-Reduced trial. Both drugs are also approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Yes. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) received FDA approval for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) based on the DELIVER trial, which demonstrated reduced cardiovascular death and worsening heart failure events across ejection fractions above 40%. This makes Farxiga one of the few drugs with a proven benefit in HFpEF, a condition historically with very limited effective pharmacological therapies.
Both Jardiance and Farxiga have robust cardiovascular outcomes trial data. Jardiance was studied in EMPA-REG OUTCOME, which showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease — a landmark finding when it was published in 2015. Farxiga was studied in DECLARE-TIMI 58. Both have subsequently demonstrated heart failure benefits in dedicated HF trials. Neither drug is categorically superior overall; the choice depends on the specific indication and patient characteristics, with Farxiga having an edge in HFpEF.
Yes, as members of the same drug class, Jardiance and Farxiga share a similar side effect profile. Both increase the risk of urinary tract infections, genital mycotic (yeast) infections, and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis. Both carry a risk of Fournier's gangrene (necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum), a rare but serious adverse event. Both can cause volume depletion and hypotension, particularly in elderly patients or those on diuretics. Neither drug directly causes hypoglycemia on its own.
Yes, both drugs have FDA approval for chronic kidney disease. Jardiance received its CKD indication based on the EMPA-KIDNEY trial. Farxiga received its CKD indication based on the DAPA-CKD trial, which showed reduced risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death. Both have demonstrated kidney-protective effects beyond blood sugar control, thought to be driven by their hemodynamic effects on glomerular filtration pressure (reduction of intraglomerular hypertension).
Both Jardiance and Farxiga cause modest weight loss as a result of glycosuria — glucose excretion in the urine. The weight reduction is generally in the range of 2–4 kg over the course of treatment and reflects a combination of water and fat loss. Neither drug is approved specifically for weight loss. GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists (such as Ozempic or Mounjaro) generally produce substantially greater weight reduction than SGLT2 inhibitors.

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