Dapagliflozin
Description
Dapagliflozin is an antidiabetic medicine. It is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels when your body cannot make or use the insulin it makes effectively to move sugar from the blood into the cells). This medicine works by eliminating the excess sugar from your body.
Dapagliflozin has some side effects like excess urination, urinary tract infections, back pain, dizziness, etc. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a long time or worsen. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Dapagliflozin is usually taken once a day with or without food. Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your blood. Do not discontinue this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may cause an elevation in your blood sugar levels.
Dapagliflozin may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems or other health conditions. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dapagliflozin
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Difficult or painful urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Low blood sugar levels
Uses of Dapagliflozin
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Dapagliflozin to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Dapagliflozin remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with Dapagliflozin due to the increased risk of altered blood sugar levels.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Dapagliflozin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Dapagliflozin is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Dapagliflozin if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Severe kidney impairment
Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use if you have severe kidney problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Dapagliflozin is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Use in children
Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data for use are not clinically established.
Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes that causes increased levels of acids in the blood. Dapagliflozin should be used with extreme caution as it may increase the risk of this condition. If your experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, excess thirst, loss of appetite, etc., consult your doctor immediately.
Liver diseases
Dapagliflozin should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of side effects. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function during treatment with this medicine.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a condition of very low blood sugar levels. Dapagliflozin may cause hypoglycaemia on concomitant use with insulin or other antidiabetic medicines such as Sulfonylureas and Glinides. Hence, your doctor may suggest dose adjustment to use both medications safely.
Urosepsis
Urosepsis is a condition in which untreated urinary infection spreads to your kidney. Dapagliflozin should be used with extreme caution in such cases, as it may increase the risk of urinary tract infections and further worsen your condition.
Genital mycotic infections
Genital mycotic infection is a fungal infection in the genital area (private parts). Dapagliflozin should be used with caution if you have genital mycotic infections, as it may further worsen your condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Dapagliflozin as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the recommended dose of Dapagliflozin. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with Dapagliflozin due to the increased risk of altered blood sugar levels.
Interaction with Medicine
Dexamethasone
Acetazolamide
Candesartan
Benazepril
Amlodipine
Carvedilol
Gatifloxacin
Disease interactions
Renal Dysfunction
Dapagliflozin should be used with caution if you have kidney problems due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your kidney function during treatment with this medicine.
Bladder cancer
The bladder is a flexible muscular organ that stores urine. Dapagliflozin is not recommended for use if you have bladder cancer and should be used with caution if you have a history of bladder cancer.
Hypotension
Hypotension is low blood pressure. Dapagliflozin should be used with caution as it may lead to low blood pressure, especially in the elderly, people with impaired renal function, or those using diuretics (medicines used to remove excess water and salt from the body).
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Dapagliflozin with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet in your mouth. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose.
Regular monitor your blood sugar during treatment with this medicine to keep track of your blood sugar levels.
Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to get maximum benefits from the treatment.
Always carry a sugar candy with you to counteract the unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.
Do not change the dose or stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Dapagliflozin helps in removing excess sugar from the body through urine. Thus it helps to control high blood sugar levels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
SGLT-2 inhibitors, Antidiabetic agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Dapagliflozin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Forxiga 10 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
nhs.uk. 2021. Dapagliflozin: medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Jul 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.