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Farxiga

Pronunciation: FAR-SEE-GUH
Generic name: dapagliflozin
Dosage form: oral tablets
Drug class: SGLT-2 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 7, 2023.

What is Farxiga?

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an oral medication that may be given to certain people with diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease to improve their outcomes. Specifically, Farxiga is used to:

Farxiga prevents the reabsorption of glucose in our kidneys, increasing how much is excreted in our urine. It works by inhibiting the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), which is present in the proximal renal tubules and is responsible for the reabsorption of filtered glucose. By inhibiting this it promotes the excretion of glucose in the urine.

Farxiga also works by reducing the amount of sodium reabsorbed by the kidneys and increasing how much reaches the distal tubule. This is thought to influence several physiological functions including lowering the preload and afterload of the heart, downregulating sympathetic activity, and decreasing pressure inside the kidneys.

Farxiga was first FDA-approved on January 8, 2014. It belongs to the class of medicines known as selective sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Warnings

You should not use Farxiga if you have a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to dapagliflozin or any of the other ingredients in Farxiga.

Farxiga should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes because it may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Not recommended for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an eGFR of less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 to improve blood sugar control (likely to be ineffective in this setting). For other indications initiation in patients with an eGFR less than 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 is not recommended; however patients may continue on 10mg orally once daily to reduce the risk of further worsening of kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), death due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization for heart failure.

Not recommended for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in patients with polycystic kidney disease or patients requiring or with a recent history of immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of kidney disease (likely to be ineffective in this setting).

May not be suitable for patients at increased risk for ketoacidosis. Extra monitoring may be required and Farxiga will need to be withheld in those who develop ketoacidosis or in clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis.

Taking Farxiga can make you dehydrated, which could cause you to feel weak or dizzy (especially when you stand up). Patients should be properly hydrated before starting treatment and patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of dehydration while taking Farxiga, especially the elderly, those with renal impairment or low systolic blood pressure, and patients on diuretics. Tell your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Dosages of insulin or insulin secretagogues may need reducing to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia.

Serious, life-threatening cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene) have been reported in patients with diabetes prescribed Farxiga. If you develop pain or tenderness, redness, or swelling in your genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise, see your doctor immediately.

May increase the risk of fungal infections in the genital area. The risk is higher in those with a prior history of genital fungal infections. Get medical help right away if you have burning, itching, odor, or discharge. Urinary tract infections should be monitored for and treated promptly.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Farxiga if you are allergic to dapagliflozin, or if you have:

To make sure Farxiga is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Farxiga is not recommended during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Follow your doctor's instructions about using Farxiga if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.

Farxiga is not recommended during breastfeeding because of the risk of serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant.

How should I take Farxiga?

Take Farxiga exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test the level of ketones in your urine. Dapagliflozin can cause life-threatening ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood). Even if your blood sugar is normal, contact your doctor if a urine test shows that you have high ketones in the urine.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injections in case of severe hypoglycemia.

You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Farxiga dosing information

Patients should be well hydrated before initiating therapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2 to improve blood sugar control

Usual Adult dose for other indications

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Farxiga?

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

What are the side effects of Farxiga?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Farxiga such as hives; difficulty breathing; and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a genital infection (penis or vagina) such as burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, or not feeling well. These symptoms may get worse quickly.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Some side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.

Common Farxiga side effects occurring with a 5% or greater incidence include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Farxiga?

Other drugs may increase or decrease the effects of Farxiga on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

Farxiga will increase urinary glucose excretion and will lead to positive urine glucose tests. Use alternative ways to monitor glycemic control. It also interferes with 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) Assay.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with dapagliflozin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

Store at room temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) away from moisture and heat. Excursions are permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).

Ingredients

Available as 5mg and 10mg tablets.

Manufacturer

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.

Popular FAQ

Farxiga may lead to modest weight loss, even though it's not a weight loss drug. Clinical studies showed people taking Farxiga alone, at either 5 mg or 10 mg daily, lost about 6 pounds over 24 weeks. Continue reading

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). It starts working after just one dose, but it may take a week for Farxiga to take full effect. Continue reading

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) may cause acute kidney injury. Signs to watch out for include urinating less or swelling in you legs or feet. Before starting Farxiga your doctor will determine if you are at increased risk for acute kidney injury. Continue reading

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is used to treat certain adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Farxiga is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It also works by reducing the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system that contributes to the progression of heart failure and the increased intraglomerular pressure that contributes to CKD. Continue reading

Taking the drug Farxiga may lead to constipation in some people. The good news is that it doesn't seem to happen often. In studies, only around 2% of people taking Farxiga developed constipation, compared to 1.5% of people taking a placebo. Continue reading

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.