Overview
Empagliflozin, commonly known by brand name Jardiance, is an SGLT2 Inhibitor. It may be ordered for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus management, and in some patients may also be ordered for certain heart failure or CKD-related reasons when prescribed.
DailyMed lists Jardiance as an SGLT2 inhibitor with indications that include reducing risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, reducing risk of kidney disease progression-related outcomes in adults with CKD at risk of progression, reducing risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and established cardiovascular disease, and improving glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with diet and exercise. DailyMed also states it is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus because it may increase risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. [1]
For home health nurses, Empagliflozin indication and home health teaching often focuses on medication compliance, Blood Sugar monitoring if ordered, infection symptom reporting, urinary symptom reporting, genital irritation or yeast infection symptom reporting, dizziness or dehydration concerns, poor intake, refill planning, foot/skin safety, and when to notify PCP.
Empagliflozin helps manage condition as ordered, but it does not cure underlying disease. Do not assume every patient takes Empagliflozin only for Blood Sugar control. Nurses should verify patient-specific reason, provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, and clarified PCP/provider instruction.
Medication Quick Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Empagliflozin |
| Common brand name(s) | Jardiance |
| Drug classification | SGLT2 Inhibitor |
| Common home health teaching focus | Blood Sugar monitoring if ordered, medication compliance, hydration reminders as ordered, infection symptom reporting, urinary symptom reporting, side effect reporting, foot care and general diabetes safety teaching, refill planning, and when to notify PCP. |
Common Indications for Empagliflozin
Common indications may include:
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / Blood Sugar control.
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus management when ordered.
- Heart failure related use when specifically ordered.
- CKD related use when specifically ordered and supported by provider documentation.
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with established cardiovascular disease when ordered.
- CKD with diabetes management when specifically ordered and documented.
This medication may be ordered for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus management, and in some patients may also be ordered for certain heart failure or CKD-related reasons when prescribed. MedlinePlus lists Empagliflozin uses that include lowering Blood Sugar in people with Type 2 Diabetes, reducing risk of hospitalization for heart failure and death in adults with heart failure, and reducing certain kidney disease-related risks in certain adults with kidney disease. [1]
Do not list Type 1 Diabetes as a routine indication for Empagliflozin. If a patient with Type 1 Diabetes has Empagliflozin on medication profile, verify patient-specific reason directly with PCP/provider, medication profile, pharmacy label, and agency policy before documenting indication or teaching focus. DailyMed states Jardiance is not recommended to improve glycemic control in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus because it may increase diabetic ketoacidosis risk. [1]
Short EMR Indication Options
Verify patient-specific reason before use. The examples below are possible short indication options. Select only the indication that matches the patient’s diagnosis, provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, or clarified PCP/provider instruction.
| Patient diagnosis / reason | Short EMR indication option |
|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / Blood Sugar control | Type 2 Diabetes / control |
| Diabetes / Blood Sugar control | Diabetes / Blood Sugar control |
| Type 2 Diabetes management | Type 2 Diabetes management |
| Type 2 Diabetes with established cardiovascular disease | T2DM with CVD / CV risk reduction |
| Heart failure management, if specifically ordered | Heart failure management |
| CHF / heart failure support, if specifically ordered | CHF / heart failure support |
| CKD support, if specifically ordered | CKD / kidney risk reduction |
| CKD with diabetes management, if specifically ordered | CKD with diabetes / kidney risk reduction |
| CKD progression risk support, if specifically ordered | CKD progression risk reduction |
Home Health Teaching Focus
For home health nursing, Empagliflozin teaching often focuses on taking medication exactly as ordered, not stopping or changing medication unless instructed by PCP/provider, monitoring Blood Sugar only if ordered or instructed, and reporting dizziness, weakness, poor intake, vomiting, dehydration concerns, urinary symptoms, genital irritation or infection symptoms, rash, or worsening symptoms.
Teaching should also include hydration reminders only if allowed and consistent with provider instructions or care plan. Infection symptom reporting, urinary symptom reporting, genital irritation reporting, and foot/skin monitoring are important parts of general diabetes safety teaching.
Patients may need reinforcement if they have a new Empagliflozin order, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, heart failure, CKD, recent Hospital stay, poor intake, vomiting, dehydration concern, urinary symptoms, genital irritation, recurrent infections, Blood Sugar monitoring concerns, foot/skin concerns, medication confusion, refill problems, or PCG involvement.
DailyMed warns about ketoacidosis, volume depletion, serious urinary tract infections, hypoglycemia risk when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues, genital mycotic infections, lower limb amputation concerns, and hypersensitivity reactions. [1]
Patient Teaching Points for Empagliflozin
Basic teaching may include:
- Take Empagliflozin exactly as ordered by PCP/provider and pharmacy label.
- Do not stop, skip, hold, take extra, or change medication unless instructed by PCP/provider.
- Monitor Blood Sugar only if ordered or instructed, and follow provider-specific reporting instructions.
- Report dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, poor intake, nausea, vomiting, urinary symptoms, genital irritation, rash, or worsening symptoms.
- Report signs of dehydration or if unable to keep fluids down.
- Report burning, pain, urgency, frequent urination, fever, chills, genital itching, redness, discharge, or irritation.
- Follow diabetes care plan and foot/skin care instructions as directed.
- Keep updated medication list and tell PCP/pharmacist about new medications, OTC products, supplements, or herbal products.
- Refill medication before it runs out.
- Ask PCP or pharmacist if medication purpose, schedule, or monitoring instructions are unclear.
Possible Side Effects or Concerns to Report
Possible concerns may include:
- increased urination
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- weakness
- signs of dehydration or poor intake
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach-area pain
- unusual tiredness or not feeling well
- urinary symptoms such as burning, pain, urgency, frequent urination, cloudy urine, blood in urine, strong odor, pelvic pain, back pain, or fever
- genital itching, redness, discharge, odor, rash, swelling, or irritation
- foot pain, sores, ulcers, warmth, redness, tenderness, or signs of infection
- rash, hives, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, or allergic-type symptoms
- worsening weakness or confusion
- symptoms getting worse or not improving
MedlinePlus lists increased urination and thirst as possible side effects and lists serious symptoms including urinary symptoms, genital infection symptoms, allergic-type symptoms, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, tiredness, difficulty breathing, foot sores or leg/foot infection symptoms, and dehydration concerns. [1]
When to Notify PCP
Call PCP or follow agency/provider instructions if patient has:
- repeated low or high Blood Sugar concerns if monitoring was ordered
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- weakness or unusual tiredness
- poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or poor fluid intake
- signs of dehydration or inability to keep fluids down
- urinary symptoms or suspected UTI
- genital irritation or possible yeast infection symptoms
- foot pain, sores, ulcers, redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or infection concern
- rash, itching, hives, swelling, or allergic-type symptoms
- medication confusion or missed doses
- refill problems
- side effects that continue or worsen
- symptoms that are not improving
- patient or PCG unsure how to take medication safely
DailyMed advises evaluating patients for urinary tract infection signs and symptoms, monitoring for volume depletion, and considering ketoacidosis assessment when patients present with signs and symptoms consistent with metabolic acidosis regardless of Blood Sugar level. [1]
When to Call 911
Call 911 or get emergency help right away for:
- unresponsiveness
- severe confusion
- seizure
- severe weakness with trouble responding
- trouble breathing
- chest pain if severe or concerning
- severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing
- severe vomiting with inability to keep fluids down and emergency concern
- symptoms rapidly worsening
- any severe or life-threatening symptoms
Do not provide emergency treatment instructions beyond calling 911 for emergency symptoms.
Related Home Health Teaching Resources
You may also find these resources helpful:
- Diabetes Teaching Resource Pack
- Medication Safety Resource Pack
- Emergency Signs and Escalation Pack
- The Ultimate Home Health Nurse’s Guide to Blood Sugar Monitoring & Diabetes Teaching: 10 Skilled Nursing Documentation Templates
- Metformin Indication and Home Health Teaching
- Insulin Glargine Indication and Home Health Teaching
Premium Library members can access the full resource content, documentation support, and downloadable tools inside each pack.
Important Use Note
This post is for educational and home health documentation support only. It does not replace provider orders, medication profile, pharmacy guidance, discharge instructions, agency policy, payer requirements, or skilled nursing judgment. Medication use, indication, monitoring needs, and reporting instructions should be individualized to patient condition, provider order, plan of care, agency policy, and clinical judgment. This content does not guarantee payment, claim approval, survey compliance, or regulatory compliance.
This post does not provide dosing advice, universal Blood Sugar parameters, medication adjustment instructions, diet/fluid orders, lab interpretation, sick-day medication instructions, or emergency treatment instructions beyond calling 911 for emergency symptoms.
Sources Used for Medication Information
- DailyMed / FDA prescribing label for Jardiance / Empagliflozin, including SGLT2 inhibitor classification, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus glycemic control indication, heart failure indication, CKD indication, Type 1 Diabetes limitation, ketoacidosis warning, volume depletion warning, urinary tract infection warning, hypoglycemia warning with insulin or insulin secretagogues, genital infection warning, lower limb amputation warning, hypersensitivity warning, and patient counseling information. [1]
- MedlinePlus medication information for Empagliflozin, including common uses, SGLT2 inhibitor classification, Type 1 Diabetes limitation, medication precautions, Blood Sugar monitoring reminders, urinary and genital infection symptoms, dehydration concern, foot/leg safety reminders, and side effects.
- Patient-specific use should always be verified with provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, agency policy, and clinical judgment.
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