canagliflozin vs empagliflozin
Side-by-side comparison of canagliflozin and empagliflozin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Invokana
Jardiance
Invokana is a medicine used with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also help reduce the risk of heart problems and kidney disease in some patients.
Synjardy is a combination of two medicines, empagliflozin and metformin. It helps lower blood sugar in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Invokana is used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used along with diet and exercise. Invokana can also lower the risk of major heart problems like heart attack and stroke in adults with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also reduce the risk of kidney failure, heart-related death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes and kidney problems.
Synjardy is used to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. It is for adults and children aged 10 years and older. Empagliflozin, one of the medicines in Synjardy, can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease. It can also lower the risk of heart failure and kidney problems in some adults.
Invokana is a type of medicine called an SGLT2 inhibitor. It works by preventing your kidneys from reabsorbing sugar back into your blood. This causes extra sugar to leave your body through your urine, which lowers your blood sugar levels.
Empagliflozin helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through urine. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps your body use insulin better. Together, they help lower your blood sugar levels.
- • Yeast infections of the vagina
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Increased urination
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Yeast infection (in women)
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of ketones in the blood) 3,421
- Toe amputation 2,195
- Bone infection 2,163
- Sudden kidney damage 1,990
- Fungal infection 1,446
- Diabetic ketoacidosis 3,773
- Feeling sick to your stomach 3,212
- High blood sugar 3,043
- Diarrhea 2,806
- Weight loss 2,749
Invokana can cause serious side effects, including: - Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): This is a serious condition where your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. DKA can be life-threatening. - Lower limb amputation: Invokana may increase your risk of needing an amputation of your foot or leg. - Volume depletion: Invokana can cause dehydration, which can lead to kidney problems and low blood pressure. - Serious infections: Invokana can increase your risk of urinary tract infections and a rare but serious infection of the tissue under the skin in the area between and around the anus and genitals (Fournier's gangrene).
Metformin, one of the drugs in Synjardy, can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like weakness, muscle pain, trouble breathing, or stomach pain. Some people should not take Synjardy because of the risk of lactic acidosis. These include people with kidney problems, liver problems, or who drink a lot of alcohol.
Invokana is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy because it may harm the developing baby's kidneys. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not recommended to use Invokana while breastfeeding.
Synjardy may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is not recommended to use Synjardy while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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How to Read This canagliflozin vs empagliflozin Comparison
canagliflozin is classified in the SGLT2 Inhibitor drug class, while empagliflozin sits within the SGLT2 Inhibitor class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, canagliflozin has 11,215 submissions while empagliflozin has 15,583. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between canagliflozin and empagliflozin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.