Dapagliflozin
About Dapagliflozin
Dapagliflozin is an oral prescription medication primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also prescribed to lower the risk of heart failure hospitalisations and to support kidney health in people with chronic kidney disease. By helping the body remove excess sugar, it plays a vital role in long-term health management.
To get the most benefit, you should take Dapagliflozin consistently at the same time every single day. This tablet can be taken with or without food, depending on what works best for your daily routine. Combining this medication with a balanced diet and regular physical activity is essential for achieving the best health outcomes.
While taking Dapagliflozin, some people may experience mild side effects like a runny nose, sore throat, or a higher frequency of urination. However, if you experience more serious symptoms, such as signs of a severe urinary tract infection or a yeast infection, you should contact your doctor right away.
Before starting Dapagliflozin, it is important to discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider. Do not take this if you are on dialysis or have severe kidney disease that prevents this type of medicine from working properly.
Some medications, including insulin or other blood sugar-lowering drugs, can interact with Dapagliflozin and increase your risk of low blood sugar. Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can also elevate your risk of dehydration or a rare but serious acid buildup in the blood. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly individual, consult your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Uses of Dapagliflozin
• Type 2 diabetes: Helps improve blood sugar control along with diet and exercise.
• Heart health in diabetes: Lowers the risk of hospitalisation for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease or multiple risk factors.
• Heart failure: Reduces the risk of hospitalisation in adults with heart failure, where the heart cannot pump blood efficiently.
• Chronic kidney disease: Slows the progression of kidney disease and reduces the risk of kidney failure, heart-related death, and hospitalisation for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease.
Medicinal Benefits
Dapagliflozin helps manage blood sugar levels while providing additional benefits for heart and kidney health. By supporting better metabolic control and protecting vital organs, it can help improve overall health and quality of life.
- Helps Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: By improving blood sugar control, Dapagliflozin helps reduce glucose fluctuations throughout the day, supporting stable energy levels and helping you manage diabetes more effectively.
- Supports Heart Health: For people with diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, Dapagliflozin can help reduce the strain on the heart and support better overall cardiovascular function, which may improve comfort during daily activities.
- Helps Protect Kidney Function: In addition to controlling blood sugar, Dapagliflozin helps support kidney health and may slow the progression of diabetes-related kidney damage, contributing to better long-term health outcomes.
Directions for Use
- Dapagliflozin can be taken with or without food, as advised by the doctor.
- It is usually taken once daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Dapagliflozin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Dapagliflozin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Urinating more frequently than usual
- Mild yeast infections in the genital area
- Stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
- Mild back pain
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Severe dizziness, extreme thirst, or dark urine, which can be signs of dehydration
- Pain, redness, or swelling in the genital area accompanied by a fever
- Nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, and deep, rapid breathing, which may indicate too much acid in the blood
- Burning sensation, pain, or blood when urinating
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Drug Warnings
- Tell your doctor you are taking Dapagliflozin before having any surgery or medical procedures, as you may need to temporarily stop taking it.
- If you experience vomiting or diarrhoea or cannot eat or drink due to illness, contact your doctor to see if you should pause this medication to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid heavy alcohol consumption while taking this medication, as it significantly increases your risk of developing a dangerous acid buildup in your blood.
- Ensure your doctor checks your kidney function through regular blood tests while you are taking this medicine.
- If you develop symptoms like rapid breathing, severe nausea, or stomach pain, stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical care immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Water pills (diuretics): Taking these with Dapagliflozin can increase your risk of dehydration and low blood pressure.
- Insulin and sulfonylureas: Combining these medications can increase your risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Avoid heavy drinking as it increases the risk of dehydration and a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- Severe kidney disease: This medication may not work effectively if your kidneys are severely damaged or if you are on dialysis.
- Frequent urinary tract infections: If you have a history of chronic bladder or urinary tract infections, this medicine may increase their frequency.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou should avoid consuming alcohol with Dapagliflozin as it may lead to high or low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
unsafeDapagliflozin is not recommended for pregnant women. Please consult the doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDapagliflozin is not recommended during breastfeeding. It is safe to seek medical advice before you start Dapagliflozin if you are lactating.
Driving
cautionDrive only if you are physically stable and mentally focused. If you experience drowsiness after taking these medications, you should not drive or operate any machinery or vehicles.
Liver
cautionTake Dapagliflozin only after the doctor's prescription, especially if you are dealing with Liver diseases/conditions, as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Dapagliflozin after the recommendation of a doctor, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dosing strength needs to be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeThe use of Dapagliflozin is not recommended for children below 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Because this medication removes sugar and water through your urine, drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
- Practise good personal hygiene: Keep your genital area clean and dry to reduce the risk of yeast or urinary tract infections.
- Monitor your blood sugar: Keep track of your daily blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor, especially during illness or stress.
- Follow a balanced meal plan: Work with a dietitian to manage your carbohydrate intake and support stable blood sugar levels.
- Check your feet daily: Examine your feet for any cuts, sores, or redness, and report any changes to your healthcare provider immediately.
Special Advise
- You should have a test of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) every 3 months to check your blood glucose level control.
- Drink plenty of fluids as use of Dapagliflozin may cause dehydration.
- Check your feet regularly and stick to foot care advice given by the healthcare professional.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic or life-long condition in which cells of the body fail to respond to insulin, and in later stages, the body even fails to produce enough insulin. It comprises around 90% of total diabetes cases. This condition makes the body rely on different energy sources in muscles, tissues, and organs. This disease develops gradually, and the early symptoms include constant hunger, lack of energy, fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, itchy skin, and blurry vision. People who are middle-aged or older are most likely to have type 2 diabetes, so it is also called adult-onset diabetes. The risks of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes include damaged retina of the eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, nerve problems, kidney problems, sexual dysfunction and increased possibility of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Dapagliflozin belongs to the category of medicines called anti-diabetics, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Dapagliflozin is a type of medicine known as a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels by blocking the action of SGLT-2 in the kidney and removes excess sugar from your body through urine.
In case you feel that your blood sugar level is going down and you are feeling weak, immediately eat sugary candies or drink sugary beverages. It will help to balance the blood sugar level in your body. So, it is advisable to keep sugar candies with you.
Type 2 diabetes is a common form of diabetes in which the blood sugar-lowering hormone called insulin, produced by the body, does not function properly. Thus, the blood glucose level increases and symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger start. Diabetes, if left untreated or not treated properly, can cause long-term complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot problems and poses a high risk of developing heart diseases.
Your driving ability may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience dizziness or drowsiness.
Yes, using Dapagliflozin may cause urinary tract infections in a few people, so always practice good hygiene.
Dapagliflozin may cause side effects like urinary tract infection, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), peeing more than normal, skin rash, dizziness, increased thirst, and nausea. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Yes, Dapagliflozin is safe to use if prescribed by the doctor.
Dapagliflozin should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its components.
Inform the doctor if you are due to undergo any surgery. The doctor may recommend you to stop taking Dapagliflozin before surgery to prevent the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes).
Your doctor may prescribe Dapagliflozin along with metformin for better management of blood glucose levels.
Your doctor may prescribe alternate/additional medicine to control blood sugar levels if you have diabetes along with kidney problems. Please consult the doctor before stating Dapagliflozin if you have kidney problems.
Dapagliflozin should be taken with other medications for diabetes only if prescribed by the doctor. The doctor may lower the dose of other medications to prevent low blood sugar levels.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
It is important to check your feet regularly and adhere to foot care advice given by your doctor. If you are undergoing any tests, inform the doctor that you are taking Dapagliflozin as it might affect certain urine test results.
No, Dapagliflozin is only approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. It should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes. Talk to your doctor to find the right treatment for your condition.
While Dapagliflozin is not a weight-loss medication, some people may lose a small amount of weight because it helps the body remove excess sugar and water through the urine. Talk to your doctor for more information about what to expect.
Yes, you can take Dapagliflozin with or without food. It is best to take it at the same time each day to help you remember. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how to take your medicine.
The medication begins working to lower your blood sugar shortly after you take your first doses, but it may take several weeks to see the full benefits for your heart or kidney health. Talk to your doctor about monitoring your progress.
Itching or burning in the genital area can be a sign of a yeast infection, which is a common side effect of this medicine. You should contact your healthcare provider for proper treatment. Talk to your doctor if this occurs.
This medication is generally not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy as it may affect the developing baby. If you are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant, talk to your doctor immediately.
Dapagliflozin works by helping your kidneys filter excess sugar out of your blood and into your urine. Since water follows sugar, you will naturally need to urinate more frequently. Talk to your doctor if this becomes unmanageable or causes discomfort.
No, you should not stop taking Dapagliflozin without consulting your healthcare provider, even if your blood sugar levels improve or appear normal. Stopping the medication suddenly can cause your blood sugar levels to rise again and worsen diabetes control. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.
