Compare Jardiance vs. Precose

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Jardiance (empagliflozin)

Prescription only

Precose (acarbose)

Prescription only
Lowers blood sugar.

Jardiance (empagliflozin) lowers blood sugar for people with diabetes, but can increase the chance of a yeast infection.

Lowers blood sugar.

Precose (acarbose) helps lower your post-mealtime blood sugar levels, but it must be taken at the beginning of each main meal in order for it to be most effective.

Upsides
  • Lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) levels up to 1%.
  • Can prevent death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure if you have pre-existing heart disease.
  • Can be easily taken orally as a pill.
  • Can cause weight loss.
  • Not likely to cause hypoglycemia or very low blood sugar.
  • Precose (acarbose) helps control meal-time blood sugar levels without causing weight gain.
  • When used alone it doesn't normally cause blood sugar levels to be too low unlike other anti-diabetes medicines.
  • Safe to be used in people age 65 or older.
  • Has relatively few interactions with other medicines.
Downsides
  • More expensive since it's available as brand name only.
  • Can cause dehydration.
  • Not a first choice medicine because it isn't as effective at lowering blood sugar compared to other treatment options.
  • Associated with bothersome side effects like excessive gas and diarrhea.
  • Relatively more expensive than other diabetes medicines.
  • Has to be taken three times a day with each meal.
  • Might cause episodes of low blood sugar when taken together with insulin or medicines that stimulate insulin release.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
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Reviews
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Side effects
9possible side effects
  • Low blood sugar
    40%
  • Urinary tract infection
    9%
  • Yeast infection in women
    5%
  • Elevated cholesterol levels
    4%
  • Head cold
    3%
  • Increased urination
    3%
  • Yeast infection in men
    3%
  • Joint pain
    2%
  • Nausea
    2%
See more detailed side effects
3possible side effects
  • Excessive gas
    74%
  • Diarrhea
    31%
  • Stomach pain
    19%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Low blood pressure
    • Over age 65
    • Kidney disease
    • Taking blood pressure medications
  • Worsening kidney function
    • Dehydration
    • Poor baseline kidney function
    • Congestive heart failure
  • Too much acid in the blood
    • Type 1 diabetes
    • Extended fasting
  • Yeast infections and urinary tract infections
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Low blood sugar
    • Using insulin or other medicines that stimulate insulin release
  • Kidney function
    • Those with kidney problems
  • Interactions with other medicines
    • Taking multiple medicines together
See more detailed risks and warnings