Jardiance Vs. Rybelsus: Drug Comparison

Jardiance^® (empagliflozin) is an oral medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Additionally, Jardiance helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. It is also used to reduce the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression. This medication works as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, promoting the excretion of glucose through the urine​.

Rybelsus^® (semaglutide) is an oral medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist available in tablet form. It stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying to lower blood sugar levels. Rybelsus is taken once daily and can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, along with diet and exercise. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and it should be used cautiously in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is indicated:

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure

• To reduce the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 10 mg and 25 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg tablets

Most common adverse reactions (5% or greater incidence) were:

• Urinary tract infections

• Female genital fungal infections

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in Jardiance

• See the Full Prescribing Information for information on drug interactions and interference of Jardiance with laboratory tests

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Rybelsus

• Drug interactions: oral medications—Rybelsus delays gastric emptying

• Diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and other ketoacidosis

• Volume depletion

• Urosepsis and pyelonephritis

• Low blood sugar

• Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier's gangrene)

• Genital fungal infections

• Lower limb amputation

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Pregnancy: Potential risk to a fetus especially during the second and third trimesters

• Breastfeeding: Not recommended when breastfeeding

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm

• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding not recommended

• Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Rybelsus in women at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Rybelsus causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Rybelsus is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Jardiance^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information.

*This information is from the label for brand name Rybelsus^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.