Can you take Jardiance with Rosuvastatin? The definitive guide to concomitant use

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the CDC, approximately 20% of adults with diabetes also have high cholesterol, making combination therapy common. This raises a critical question for many patients: can you take Jardiance with Rosuvastatin to manage these co-occurring conditions safely and effectively? For most, the answer is yes, as studies show no significant drug-drug interaction.

Quick Summary

Taking Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Rosuvastatin (Crestor) concurrently is generally safe, with no major drug-drug interactions reported in studies. The medications address distinct health issues—diabetes and high cholesterol, respectively—providing complementary benefits for patients with both conditions. While side effects can occur from either medication, they are not intensified by taking them together.

Key Points

No Major Drug Interaction: Clinical studies and drug interaction checkers have found no significant interactions between Jardiance and Rosuvastatin.
Different Mechanisms of Action: Jardiance controls blood glucose by acting on the kidneys, while Rosuvastatin lowers cholesterol by inhibiting a liver enzyme, meaning their actions do not overlap in a harmful way.
Addresses Co-existing Conditions: It is common and often necessary to take these medications together, as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol are frequently diagnosed in the same patient.
Study Confirms Safety: A 2023 pharmacovigilance study specifically ruled out an increased risk of myotoxicity (muscle damage) from combining SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance with statins like Rosuvastatin.
Manage Individual Side Effects: Any side effects experienced are typically associated with each medication individually and are not made worse by the combination.
Consult a Doctor: Patients should always take these medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider, who can monitor their overall health and address any concerns.

Understanding Jardiance and Rosuvastatin

To understand why these medications are often prescribed together, it's crucial to first grasp their individual roles. They target different systems and therefore do not interfere with each other's primary functions.

What is Jardiance? (Empagliflozin)

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT-2 inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes by helping the kidneys excrete excess glucose. It is also approved for reducing cardiovascular risks in adults with heart failure and kidney disease progression in adults with chronic kidney disease. Its action is independent of insulin. The mechanism involves inhibiting the SGLT-2 protein in the kidneys, leading to increased glucose excretion in urine, lower blood sugar, and modest reductions in weight and blood pressure.

What is Rosuvastatin? (Crestor)

Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a statin medication prescribed to lower high cholesterol levels, specifically LDL-C. It works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, which is crucial for cholesterol production. This action helps reduce plaque buildup in arteries and lowers the risk of cardiovascular events. It also increases LDL receptors in the liver, aiding in the removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Combination Therapy: Safety and Efficacy

Managing type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol together is common due to their frequent co-occurrence. Combining Jardiance and Rosuvastatin is generally considered safe and standard practice.

Absence of Major Drug-Drug Interactions

Drug interaction databases, including Drugs.com, indicate no significant interactions between Jardiance and rosuvastatin. This is because they work on different physiological pathways – Jardiance on the kidneys for glucose control and Rosuvastatin on the liver for cholesterol management.

Addressing Past Concerns of Myotoxicity

Previous concerns about a potential increased risk of muscle problems (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis) when combining SGLT2 inhibitors and statins have been investigated. A large pharmacovigilance study in 2023 concluded there was no elevated risk of myotoxicity associated with the concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors and statins, including empagliflozin and rosuvastatin. This study supports the safety of using these medications together.

Benefits of Concomitant Use

Combining Jardiance and Rosuvastatin offers complementary cardiovascular benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Jardiance provides cardioprotective effects, and Rosuvastatin lowers cardiovascular risk by managing cholesterol. This combined approach addresses two major risk factors.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

While the combination is generally safe, each medication has its own potential side effects that patients should be aware of.

Common side effects with Jardiance may include:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Female genital mycotic (yeast) infections
Increased urination
Dehydration, potentially causing dizziness or low blood pressure
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially when taken with insulin or sulfonylureas

Common side effects with Rosuvastatin may include:

Muscle pain or weakness
Joint pain
Nausea and stomach pain
Headache
Rarely, liver or kidney issues, typically at higher doses

Important Precautions:

Always inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking.
Immediately report any unusual muscle pain or weakness.
Patients on diuretics, older adults, or those with existing kidney issues may require close monitoring for dehydration.

Comparison Table: Jardiance vs. Rosuvastatin


Feature	Jardiance (Empagliflozin)	Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Drug Class	SGLT-2 Inhibitor	Statin (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor)
Primary Function	Lowers blood glucose by increasing urinary excretion.	Lowers cholesterol by inhibiting liver enzyme.
Main Indications	Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease.	High Cholesterol, Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.
Primary Target Organ	Kidneys.	Liver.
Common Side Effects	UTIs, genital yeast infections, increased urination, dehydration.	Muscle pain, headache, nausea, joint pain.

Conclusion

The combined use of Jardiance and Rosuvastatin is a safe and effective treatment approach for many patients with co-occurring type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Studies and drug interaction analyses show no clinically significant interaction between the two medications. By understanding their individual actions and potential side effects, patients can effectively manage both conditions. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance for dosage and monitoring. More information on the pharmacovigilance study can be found at the Wiley Online Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

A person might take both medications because they have two different, but common, conditions: type 2 diabetes, which Jardiance helps manage, and high cholesterol, which Rosuvastatin is prescribed for. Treating both is essential for reducing overall cardiovascular risk.

No, they do not. Jardiance and Rosuvastatin work through different biological mechanisms and target different organs, so they don't interfere with each other's primary function. Their effects are complementary rather than competing.

No, a large 2023 pharmacovigilance study found no increased risk of muscle damage (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis) associated with the concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance and statins like Rosuvastatin.

You should monitor for the individual side effects of each drug. For Jardiance, watch for signs of dehydration, UTIs, or genital infections. For Rosuvastatin, report any unusual muscle pain or weakness. Regular blood tests, including liver and kidney function, are also important.

Yes, taking both at the same time is generally acceptable. However, Jardiance is typically taken in the morning, and Rosuvastatin can be taken anytime. Always follow your doctor’s specific dosing instructions.

If you experience any new or worsening side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider. They can determine which medication, if any, is responsible and make any necessary dosage adjustments.

While there is no specific food interaction between Jardiance and Rosuvastatin, you should discuss any dietary changes with your doctor, especially if they affect your cholesterol or blood sugar. Additionally, always consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.