Jardiance® demonstrated cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction in people with type 2 diabetes at high ri

RIDGEFIELD, Conn and INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced positive top-line results from EMPA-REG OUTCOME®. This is a long-term clinical trial investigating cardiovascular (CV) outcomes for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) in more than 7,000 adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at high risk for CV events. EMPA-REG OUTCOME met its primary endpoint and demonstrated superiority of JARDIANCE, when added to standard of care, in CV risk reduction. The primary endpoint was defined as time to first occurrence of either CV death, or non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke.

JARDIANCE is the only glucose-lowering agent to have demonstrated CV risk reduction in a dedicated cardiovascular outcomes trial.

"The cardiovascular risk reduction JARDIANCE demonstrated in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial is exciting and we look forward to sharing the full results," said Prof. Hans-Juergen Woerle, global vice president medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. "Approximately 50 percent of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes worldwide are caused by cardiovascular disease. Reducing cardiovascular risk is an essential component of diabetes management."

The safety profile of JARDIANCE was consistent with previous studies. Detailed study results will be presented on September 17 at the 51st European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.

About the Study  
EMPA-REG OUTCOME was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved more than 7,000 individuals from 42 countries observed for a median duration of 3.1 years. The study was designed to assess the effect of JARDIANCE (10mg or 25mg once daily) added to standard of care compared with placebo added to standard of care on CV events in adults with T2D at high risk of CV events and with less than optimized blood glucose control. The study was designed to first test for non-inferiority and then for superiority.

Standard of care was comprised of glucose lowering agents and cardiovascular drugs (including antihypertensive and lipid lowering agents).

What is JARDIANCE

JARDIANCE is a once-daily pill taken in the morning, used along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar (A1C) in adults with type 2 diabetes.

JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes or for people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about JARDIANCE?

JARDIANCE can cause serious side effects, including:   
Dehydration. JARDIANCE can cause some people to have dehydration (the loss of body water and salt).

Dehydration may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, light-headed, or weak, especially when you stand up.

You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you:

• • have low blood pressure
  • take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics)
  • are on a low salt diet
  • have kidney problems
  • are 65 years of age or older. 
     
• Vaginal yeast infection. Women who take JARDIANCE may get vaginal yeast infections. Talk to your doctor if you experience vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (discharge may be lumpy or look like cottage cheese), and/or vaginal itching. 
   
• Yeast infection of the penis. Men who take JARDIANCE may get a yeast infection of the skin around the penis, especially uncircumcised males and those with chronic infections. Talk to your doctor if you experience redness, itching or swelling of the penis, rash of the penis, foul smelling discharge from the penis, and/or pain in the skin around the penis.

Who should not take JARDIANCE?

• Do not take JARDIANCE if you are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in JARDIANCE.
  
   
• Symptoms of serious allergic reactions to JARDIANCE may include:
  • skin rash
  • raised red patches on your skin (hives)
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking JARDIANCE and contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

• Do not take JARDIANCE if you have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis.

What should I tell my doctor before using JARDIANCE?

Tell your doctor if you:

• have kidney problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during your treatment with JARDIANCE.
• have liver problems
• have a history of urinary tract infections or problems with urination
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is unknown if JARDIANCE will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if JARDIANCE passes into your breast milk.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take water pills (diuretics) or medicines that can lower your blood sugar such as insulin.

What are other possible side effects of JARDIANCE?

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): if you take JARDIANCE with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea or insulin may need to be lowered. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Sweating
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • Shaking or feeling jittery
  • Weakness
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness
  • Fast heart beat
     
• Kidney Problems, especially in people 75 years of age or older and people who already have kidney problems.
   
• Urinary Tract Infection: symptoms may include burning feeling when passing urine, pain in the pelvis or back, or urine that looks cloudy.
   
• Increased fats in your blood (cholesterol).

The most common side effects of JARDIANCE include urinary tract infections and yeast infections in females.