Exploring Jardiance weight loss: reducing belly fat & appetite

Many diabetes medications are almost synonymous with weight loss. Ozempic and Wegovy help with weight loss. Other drugs suppress appetite. But did you know that Jardiance can reduce belly fat?

It’s a fact. According to experts, Jardiance is used to control blood sugar levels. However, it also has the potential to cause weight loss and reduces the distribution of body fat. Jardiance causes a significant decrease in belly fat. Belly fat, in particular, is dangerous, because it raises your risk for a number of health problems.

Also called visceral adiposity tissue or VAT, belly fat increases your risk of developing a stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular problem. When you reduce the amount of belly fat you have, you reduce your risk of premature death from a cardiovascular event. Jardiance is effective as a weight loss tool. Jardiance was first developed to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes. While this drug is effective in promoting weight loss, it must be paired with a healthy diet and exercise to be effective.

According to experts, Jardiance contains the active ingredient, empagliflozin. Jardiance is different from other diabetes medications in the sense that it belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. Jardiance works by allowing the kidneys to purge glucose from the body. For individuals with type 2 diabetes, the body does not handle insulin the way it should. 

This causes the body to make too much blood glucose, which causes high blood sugar levels. Jardiance lowers blood sugar levels in the body by flushing out the kidneys, thus causing the body to rid itself of glucose by allowing the kidneys to expel it.     

But how does Jardiance cause weight loss? Although Jardiance isn’t approved by the FDA to cause weight loss, studies have found that people who take Jardiance lose a significant amount of weight while taking it. Weight loss on this medication, especially around the midsection, is possible and documented. One study found that individuals on Jardiance lost an average of two to three percent of their overall body weight.

Experts are not sure if this weight loss is attributed to exercise or dietary modifications, but the proof is there. Those who took Metformin and Jardiance in studies found that they lost a significant amount of weight. Much like many other drugs for diabetes, Jardiance lists weight loss as a possible side effect. This is a welcome side effect for many who want to lose weight.   

According to experts, many people taking Jardiance typically see a loss of between 1.8 and 3.2 percent of their overall body weight. Most people accomplish this amount of weight loss over a period of 24 weeks. This weight loss is accomplished when one takes Jardiance in conjunction with another diabetes drug that facilitates weight loss.

Jardiance side effects

While Jardiance is effective in causing weight loss, it is also important to be aware of its side effects. Jardiance comes with a number of side effects, such as:

• Urinary tract infections (UTI)

• Burning during urination

• Vaginal yeast infections

• Hypotension or low blood pressure

Other serious side effects of Jardiance include feeling dizzy while standing, depression, loss of consciousness, and swollen legs and ankles. As with any medication, some people experience allergic reactions while taking Jardiance. Allergic reactions include flushing, skin rash, and itchiness. 

There is also a potential to develop gangrene when taking Jardiance. This condition is usually more common in individuals who take prescription medications in the same class of drugs. Symptoms of gangrene include the following:

• Redness and swelling near the rectum and genital area

• Feelings of discomfort

• Fever or chills

According to PubMed, Empagliflozin, Jardiance’s base drug, decreases body weight and reduces waist circumference. One study, of 3,300 participants, found that their waist slimmed down.  That is not the only benefit of Jardiance. According to a 2014 news release, researchers found that Jardiance is responsible for a host of improvements, including lowering A1C and reducing belly fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The reduction in A1C took place over a two to three-month period.

Jardiance was originally intended to be combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Although Jardiance is effective in treating type 2 diabetes, it is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes. Jardiance should also not be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. Increased ketones in the liver or blood are indicative of diabetic ketoacidosis.  

When compared to patients who took a placebo, participants taking Jardiance saw on average a 0.64 percent reduction in body weight. This equals out to a total fat loss of 3.7 pounds. By week 12, participants saw a reduction in waist circumference by 1.3 centimeters. 

What are the benefits of Jardiance when compared to similar medications?

While Jardiance is a great tool for losing weight, it offers other health benefits that you cannot find from other diabetes drugs that cause weight loss. According to Nice RX, Jardiance has the ability to reduce your risk of death from a cardiovascular event. Jardiance also boasts the fact that it can keep you out of the hospital and reduce your risk for cardiovascular death. 

Other diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic, do not carry these benefits. Experts have found that elevated cholesterol levels are a side effect of Jardiance. If you find yourself struggling to lose weight, Jardiance is a good option. In 2022, Jardiance was approved to “reduce the risk of cardiovascular death.” This groundbreaking treatment can benefit millions of people worldwide, allowing them to live longer and stay in better health.

With all these benefits, you may have other questions about this drug. According to Healthline, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour for Jardiance to begin working in your system. It can take days to weeks for the medication to begin managing your blood sugar levels. Your doctor can adjust your dosage, if needed. 

When you take this medication, you excrete high levels of glucose through your urine. This is why many people who take Jardiance develop urinary tract infections. People with diabetes are more likely to get UTIs than those without diabetes. The nice thing about Jardiance is that it is approved to be used for weight loss, even if you don’t have diabetes. When it was compared to a blood sugar placebo, Jardiance was found to be highly effective in helping those without diabetes type 2 lose weight. In studies, patients who took a 10-milligram dosage of the drug saw an average weight loss of 2.8 percent. 

Those who took a 25-milligram dosage lost approximately 3.2 percent of their starting body weight. In a person who weighs 200 pounds, a 2.8 percent weight loss is the equivalent of 5.6 pounds. When used in conjunction with Metformin, Jardiance can yield a total weight loss of roughly 180 pounds. Of course, you must take into consideration your starting body size and your weight loss goals.

The amount of weight you lose will also depend on the dosage of Jardiance you are taking. Although Jardiance was not approved to reduce blood pressure, it is a possible side effect. Jardiance was found to lower blood pressure, whether it’s in conjunction with another drug or as a standalone treatment. 

With all the benefits that Jardiance provides, you may be wondering how and if you can deal with some of the drug’s side effects. According to experts, there are ways to avoid yeast infections when you take Jardiance. You can make certain lifestyle changes. Experts recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoiding clothes made with synthetic materials. Keep the genital area dry, and practice good hygiene. However, bear in mind that yeast infections with Jardiance are typically mild.   

Roughly 26 million people have type 2 diabetes, and millions of people worldwide want to lose weight. Because of this, Jardiance may be the ideal choice for many people. Another good thing about Jardiance is that it makes sure that only a small amount of glucose is reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

How does Jardiance work?

Jardiance works by keeping the kidneys from absorbing glucose or blood sugar. Jardiance’s safety has been validated by many clinical trials, and the drug remains a fan favorite for those who want to lose weight. It was found more effective in managing blood sugar than a placebo.      

If you take Metformin and need an extra drug for diabetes, consider the fact that Jardiance reduces your risk of a multitude of health conditions. Experts assert that Jardiance reduces your risk of developing kidney damage and reduces your risk of having a heart attack. 

Taking Metformin and Jardiance at the same time has many benefits. Metformin is very popular for people with type 2 diabetes. However, in some cases, Metformin may not be enough to control your blood sugar. Although you do not need to take a specific brand of drug for diabetes and weight loss, doctors often recommend Jardiance for its ability to improve your overall health. Additionally, Jardiance is the drug of choice, because of its ability to help you avoid certain health conditions.    

15 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.singlecare.com/blog/jardiance-side-effects/

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00033.2011

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/jardiance-weight-loss/

https://www.jardiance.com/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326007

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768401/

https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-retrospective-data-showed-empagliflozin-reduced-a1c-body

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/drug-helps-type-2-diabetics-lower-blood-sugar-lose-weight

https://www.nicerx.com/compare/ozempic-vs-jardiance/

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-treatment-wider-range-patients-heart-failure

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/jardiance

https://www.goodrx.com/jardiance/jardiance-side-effects

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/jardiance-weight-loss-3541226/

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/FDA-approves-jardiance-type-2-diabetes-080414

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.