Farxiga and Jardiance are not the same drug, but they belong to the same drug class. Farxiga is dapagliflozin and Jardiance is empagliflozin — two distinct molecules that both block the SGLT2 glucose transporter in the kidney. They have similar A1C reduction, similar weight loss, similar blood pressure effects, and similar side effect profiles. The main differences are in the specific clinical trials supporting each, the exact approved indications, and small variations in dosing and cost.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) | Jardiance (Empagliflozin) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AstraZeneca | Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly |
| FDA approval year | 2014 | 2014 |
| Available doses | 5 mg, 10 mg | 10 mg, 25 mg |
| Typical maintenance | 10 mg once daily | 10 to 25 mg once daily |
| A1C reduction | 0.7 to 1.0 percent | 0.7 to 1.0 percent |
| Weight loss | 2 to 3 kg | 2 to 3 kg |
| BP reduction | 3 to 5 / 2 mmHg | 3 to 5 / 2 mmHg |
| T2D approval | Yes | Yes |
| CV mortality reduction | Reduction in HF hospitalization (DECLARE) | Significant reduction (EMPA-REG) |
| HFrEF approval | Yes (DAPA-HF) | Yes (EMPEROR-Reduced) |
| HFpEF approval | Yes (DELIVER) | Yes (EMPEROR-Preserved) |
| CKD approval | Yes (DAPA-CKD) | Yes (EMPA-KIDNEY) |
| eGFR cutoff for initiation | ≥ 25 mL/min/1.73 m² | ≥ 20 mL/min/1.73 m² |
Same Class, Different Molecules
Both medications are SGLT2 inhibitors — sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, sometimes called gliflozins. They share the same mechanism, blocking the SGLT2 protein in the proximal tubule of the kidney. Normally this transporter reabsorbs about 90 percent of glucose filtered by the kidney. With an SGLT2 inhibitor, that reabsorption is blocked, and 50 to 80 grams of glucose per day is excreted in urine.
- Class — SGLT2 inhibitors
- Other class members — Invokana (canagliflozin), Steglatro (ertugliflozin), Suglat / Inpefa (bexagliflozin, sotagliflozin)
- Shared mechanism — renal glucose excretion via SGLT2 blockade
- Shared physiological effects — glucose lowering, weight loss, blood pressure reduction, mild diuresis
Trial Evidence Side by Side
| Indication | Farxiga Key Trial | Jardiance Key Trial |
|---|---|---|
| T2D + ASCVD | DECLARE-TIMI 58 — reduced HF hospitalization, neutral on MACE | EMPA-REG OUTCOME — 14 percent MACE reduction, 38 percent CV death reduction |
| HFrEF | DAPA-HF — 26 percent reduction in CV death or HF event | EMPEROR-Reduced — 25 percent reduction in similar endpoint |
| HFpEF | DELIVER — 18 percent reduction | EMPEROR-Preserved — 21 percent reduction |
| CKD | DAPA-CKD — 39 percent reduction in kidney composite endpoint | EMPA-KIDNEY — 28 percent reduction |
Side Effect Comparison
Both drugs share the SGLT2 inhibitor class side effect profile.
- Genital yeast infection — 8 to 12 percent with both, more in women and uncircumcised men
- Urinary tract infection — 5 to 9 percent with both
- Volume depletion / dizziness — 1 to 3 percent
- Increased urination — 3 to 4 percent in early weeks
- Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis — rare (less than 0.1 percent) with both; higher risk in people on insulin, with illness, or on very-low-carb diets
- Fournier gangrene — extremely rare boxed warning, both drugs
- Bone fracture — neutral signal in dapagliflozin and empagliflozin trials (different from canagliflozin)
When to Choose Each
- Lean toward Jardiance — patient with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease where CV mortality reduction is a priority, or eGFR between 20 and 25
- Lean toward Farxiga — patient where 5 mg starting dose flexibility is useful, or where DAPA-CKD trial population most closely matches your patient
- Either is reasonable — most patients with type 2 diabetes plus heart failure or CKD; class effects dominate over molecule differences
- Cost / formulary — often the deciding factor in practice
Contraindications
- Type 1 diabetes — high risk of euglycemic DKA
- Prior hypersensitivity to the drug
- Dialysis — neither is used
- Severe hepatic impairment — use with caution (mainly Farxiga)
- Recurrent genital or urinary infections — relative contraindication
- Active foot ulcer with risk of progression — increased monitoring
Dosing Differences
- Farxiga — 5 mg or 10 mg once daily; 5 mg starting dose for heart failure or CKD with reduced eGFR; 10 mg for type 2 diabetes
- Jardiance — 10 mg once daily starting dose; can titrate to 25 mg for additional glycemic effect in type 2 diabetes; 10 mg is the heart failure and CKD dose
- Both — taken once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day
- Both — no dose adjustment for hepatic impairment in most cases
Practical Choice in 2026
For most patients, the practical decision between Farxiga and Jardiance comes down to:
- Which is on your insurance formulary at the lower copay
- Whether you have established cardiovascular disease (slight edge to Jardiance)
- Your eGFR and whether you need a drug approved at lower eGFR (slight edge to Jardiance)
- Your clinician’s comfort and prescribing pattern
- Manufacturer copay card availability
Related Reading
For broader context, see our treatment hub, our deeper comparison of empagliflozin vs dapagliflozin, and prediabetes complications and related conditions. For trial evidence, see DECLARE-TIMI 58.
The Bottom Line
Farxiga and Jardiance are not the same drug but are in the same class. Farxiga is dapagliflozin, Jardiance is empagliflozin — both SGLT2 inhibitors that block kidney glucose reabsorption, lower A1C by about 0.7 to 1.0 percent, produce 2 to 3 kg weight loss, and reduce blood pressure modestly. Both are approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure across the ejection fraction spectrum, and chronic kidney disease. Jardiance has slightly stronger cardiovascular mortality data; Farxiga has the largest CKD trial. Side effects are nearly identical. In practice, the choice often comes down to insurance coverage and out-of-pocket cost. Talk to your doctor about which fits your situation best.
