What is Jardiance?
Jardiance is a medication prescribed to people over the age of 18 who have Type 2 diabetes. Jardiance is used to lower blood sugar and helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death.
As a once-daily oral medication, Jardiance (in conjunction with diet and exercise) has been proven to lower A1C in those who do not have cardiovascular disease.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body does not regulate and use glucose properly. When blood sugar levels are not regulated properly by the pancreas, this affects the circulatory, immune, and nervous systems.
Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas produces. Sugar in the bloodstream triggers the pancreas to make insulin. This insulin circulates and helps the sugar enter the cells.
Cells use sugar as energy to function. The amount of sugar in your bloodstream decreases when cells burn it for fuel. The pancreas then responds by releasing less insulin as it is not needed.
In Type 2 diabetes, this process does not work for one or multiple reasons, and blood sugar builds up in the blood. In response to the sugar buildup in the blood, the pancreas releases more insulin.
Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s increasing need for insulin, and the cells within the organ cannot function properly. Symptoms occur when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels because cells have become resistant to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes (also referred to as adult-onset diabetes) often develops slowly,and many may be living with the disease for years and not know it. Eating healthy, losing excess weight, and exercising regularly are things that can be done to manage the disease, but there is no cure for Type 2 diabetes.
Some of the factors that may contribute to the disease are fat distribution in the body, family history, age, race, and ethnicity.
There are some signs and symptoms that could indicate the disease. They may include:
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Extreme tiredness
- Blurry vision and other eye changes
- Sores that take a long time to heal
- Numb or tingly hands and feet
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
If left untreated or not managed properly, Type 2 diabetes can lead to a number of issues within the body. Major organs such as the heart, kidneys, and eyes can be seriously damaged and lead to other serious and chronic diseases.
Neuropathy can occur when blood sugar levels are high over a period of time. Neuropathy occurs in 60% to 70% of people with diabetes.
Heart and blood vessel disease are also associated with a diabetes diagnosis. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
Kidney disease is a frequent concern when diabetes is not properly managed. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. Although kidney disease progression is slow, it can be irreversible and may lead to dialysis or the need for a kidney transplant.
Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk for serious problems with the eyes, such as cataracts and glaucoma which should be monitored by eye doctors.
Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Damage to the brain can occur when there is reduced or blocked blood flow. If the vascular system is affected by improperly managed glucose levels, the brain is another organ that can suffer.
Many people with Type 2 diabetes experience hearing problems due to nerve damage. This can include symptoms like difficulty hearing for small children, constantly feeling like people are mumbling, having to ask people to repeat themselves, and struggling to follow conversations involving more than one person.
Slow-healing wounds are another serious problem when diabetes is not properly managed.
The circulatory system does not function properly when blood glucose levels are not maintained in the healthy zones. When the blood does not flow properly and cannot work to heal sores, this can lead to wounds becoming infected.
Left untreated or improperly managed, Type 2 diabetes can cause a cascade effect of other problems. It is important to work on changing one’s lifestyle and taking all prescribed medications.
It is also important to pay attention to any changes in your health and report them to your doctor. There are many tests that can be done to possibly catch and reverse any issues that may result in permanent damage.
Can Type 2 Diabetes be Prevented?
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. Being active and eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed foods may slow or stop the progression of the disease.
Before developing Type 2 diabetes, many people experienced prediabetes. Blood sugar levels may be higher than normal, but not high enough for an official diabetes diagnosis. More than 88 million adults in the U.S.are prediabetes.
Prediabetes can be reversed. There are lifestyle changes that can be followed to support the body and prevent a full-blown diabetes diagnosis.
5 Ways to Save on Your Jardiance Prescription
Jardiance has been proven to lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. This medication is to be used in conjunction with the patient following a healthy diet and exercising.
Jardiance can reduce the risk of heart failure deaths and hospitalizations.
It is contraindicated for use in those Type 2 diabetics who have severe kidney problems as it may not work when presenting cardiovascular death or hospitalizations.
If your doctor has prescribed Jardiance to help control your Type 2 diabetes, there are a few ways to save on your prescription.
These may include the following:
- Many prescription manufacturers have coupons that can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Often providers’ offices may have brochures with more information available to patients.
- Some prescription programs, through health insurance companies, will offer a discount for the member if they order a 90-day supply as opposed to filling a prescription for a 30-day supply. You will need to contact your medical prescription company to see if this is an option.
- Some medications have generic counterparts that work just as well but at a less expensive cost. Your doctor may be able to try other medications if Jardiance is not an option for you.
- The Rx Advocates can also help lower the out-of-pocket cost of prescription medications.
- Some pharmacies may offer prescription clubs or a way to enroll with them and save money on prescriptions. Individual pharmacies will have information on their programs.
How Does The Rx Advocates Work?
The Rx Advocates is a patient advocacy program. We understand that the cost of copays and out-of-pocket costs for medications can be taxing.
We can help you apply for patient assistance programs to get you name-brand medications, such as Jardiance, at no cost.
Many Patient Assistance Programs exist but may be difficult to navigate or have a confusing application process. The Rx Advocates will help you and your doctors prepare the application together, which will then be submitted to each pharmaceutical company on your behalf.
Once the applications are submitted, we will follow up to ensure they have been received and are being worked on.
Once applications are approved, we will handle anything further for that medication, including ensuring refill completion in a timely fashion to make sure you never have to go without your medicines.
Medications from the Patient Assistance Programs are free once applications have been approved. The membership cost is a service fee based upon the number of medications you are qualified to receive.
Our program charges a one-time service fee. Our service is month-to-month and you may cancel at any time.
We understand the rising cost of prescriptions can be a burden for people. We are here to help. Contact us today.
