Two medicines, side by side
Empagliflozin vs metformin
Empagliflozin and metformin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of empagliflozin since 2014 and of metformin since 1995. Pharmacies paid $11.19 per Jardiance 10 mg tablet and $0.0145 per metformin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
Check it at the source: the empagliflozin FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the metformin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2026).
Highlights of the empagliflozin record
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) · label of January 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsJARDIANCE is indicated: to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. to reduce the risk of sustained decline in eGFR, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression. to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease. as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 1, 2014
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $11.19 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the metformin record
Metformin (Glucophage) · label of September 3, 2026
WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are biguanide indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 80 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0145 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 61
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Empagliflozin label of January 30, 2026, Metformin label of September 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do empagliflozin and metformin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
How each works, in its label's words: Empagliflozin, “Empagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2, the predominant transporter responsible for reabsorption of glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the circulation.”; Metformin, “Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.”
Only the metformin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: empagliflozin since 2022; metformin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Empagliflozin | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, Type 2 diabetes, Chronic kidney disease | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor | Biguanide |
| How it works (label) | Empagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2, the predominant transporter responsible for reabsorption of glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the circulation. | Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 1, 2014 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 2022 | January 24, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 80 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $11.19 per tablet (Jardiance 10 mg tablet) | $0.0145 per tablet (Metformin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -44% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 61 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 66,937 | 410,076 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to empagliflozin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions