Yes, several substitutes for Jardiance exist, ranging from other drugs in the same class to medications that work differently but treat the same conditions. The best option depends on why you’re looking for an alternative, whether that’s cost, side effects, or a specific health concern your doctor wants to address.
Same-Class Alternatives: Other SGLT2 Inhibitors
Jardiance belongs to a group of medications called SGLT2 inhibitors, which work by causing your kidneys to flush excess sugar out through urine. Three other drugs work the same way:
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin): Available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses. This is the closest substitute. Like Jardiance, it’s FDA-approved to reduce heart failure hospitalizations and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. The main difference is in how each drug’s cardiovascular benefit is framed: Jardiance is specifically approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in people with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease, while Farxiga is approved to lower the risk of heart failure hospitalization in people with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or multiple risk factors for it.
- Invokana (canagliflozin): Available in 100 mg and 300 mg doses. Invokana carries an FDA warning about an increased risk of leg and foot amputations, which the other SGLT2 inhibitors do not. This makes it a less common first-choice substitute, though it remains an option for some patients.
- Steglatro (ertugliflozin): Available in 5 mg and 15 mg doses. Steglatro is approved for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes but does not have the same heart failure or kidney disease approvals that Jardiance and Farxiga carry. If you take Jardiance for heart or kidney protection, Steglatro may not cover those needs.
All SGLT2 inhibitors share a common side effect profile. The most notable is a higher rate of genital yeast infections, caused by the extra sugar passing through the urinary tract. Despite a longstanding concern about urinary tract infections, a large study of U.S. veterans found that SGLT2 inhibitors were actually associated with a lower risk of genitourinary infection-related hospitalization compared to another common diabetes drug class.
Different-Class Alternatives for Blood Sugar Control
If you’re switching away from Jardiance because of side effects or tolerability, your doctor may suggest a medication from a completely different class. Two are worth understanding.
GLP-1 receptor agonists (drugs like Ozempic, Trulicity, and Mounjaro) are injectable medications that stimulate insulin release after meals and slow digestion. They tend to produce significant weight loss, often more than SGLT2 inhibitors. A large comparative study found that cardiovascular and kidney outcomes were broadly similar between the two classes over about 14 months of follow-up, though SGLT2 inhibitors showed a stronger protective effect on kidney function, reducing the risk of significant kidney decline by about 23% compared to GLP-1 drugs. GLP-1 drugs, on the other hand, tend to be more effective at reducing major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. The two classes also differ in how you take them: GLP-1 drugs are typically weekly injections (though oral versions exist), while SGLT2 inhibitors are daily pills.
DPP-4 inhibitors (like Januvia and Tradjenta) are oral medications that help your body release more insulin after eating. They’re generally well tolerated and weight-neutral, meaning they won’t cause weight gain or loss. They don’t offer the same heart and kidney benefits that SGLT2 inhibitors do, so they’re primarily used for blood sugar management alone. They also tend to be less potent at lowering blood sugar than either SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 drugs.
Why Cost Drives Most Switches
Jardiance currently has no generic version available in the United States. The FDA has approved generic empagliflozin, but patent protections have blocked it from reaching pharmacies. Industry analysts expect generics to become available in late 2026 or early 2027, pending the outcome of ongoing patent litigation. Until then, the brand-name price remains the only option.
If cost is the reason you’re searching for a substitute, the other brand-name SGLT2 inhibitors are priced similarly, so switching within the class won’t necessarily save money. What may help is checking whether a different drug has better coverage on your specific insurance formulary. Some plans place Farxiga on a lower copay tier than Jardiance, or vice versa.
Patient Assistance and Savings Programs
Each SGLT2 inhibitor manufacturer offers programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs, though the eligibility rules vary.
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, manufacturer patient assistance programs can provide the medication free of charge. Jardiance’s program is run through BI Cares (1-800-556-8317), Farxiga’s through the AZ&ME Prescription Savings Program (1-800-292-6363), and Invokana’s through the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (1-800-652-6227). These programs typically require proof that you lack prescription coverage and may verify income automatically.
If you have private or commercial insurance, copay savings cards can bring your monthly cost to as little as $0. Farxiga’s savings card offers up to $175 per 30-day supply. Steglatro’s coupon offers up to $583 per prescription but is limited to 12 uses. These cards are not available to people on Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance programs.
How to Choose the Right Substitute
The substitute that makes sense for you depends on what Jardiance was doing in your treatment plan. If you take it primarily for type 2 diabetes, nearly any of the alternatives above can fill that role, and the choice comes down to side effects, cost, and your preference for pills versus injections. If you take it for heart failure or kidney protection, the field narrows considerably. Farxiga is the only other SGLT2 inhibitor with matching FDA approvals for both conditions.
Switching between SGLT2 inhibitors is generally straightforward since the drugs work the same way, and your doctor can usually transition you directly without a tapering period. Switching to a different drug class involves more consideration because the mechanisms, side effects, and benefits differ. Your current kidney function, heart health, and other medications all factor into which substitute will work best.