Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Farxiga

Farxiga: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Farxiga?

Farxiga is the brand name of the generic oral drug dapagliflozin used to treat adults who have type 2 diabetes. Farxiga works by eliminating the glucose from the bloodstream through the kidneys. Farxiga was initially approved in 2014 by the FDA as a treatment medication for type 2 diabetes. Farxiga has been approved to treat heart and kidney diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.

What are the uses of Farxiga?

Farxiga is an oral medicine that, together with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar levels and controls blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Farxiga lowers blood sugar in your body by not letting the kidneys absorb extra sugar in the urine back into the blood. Farxiga was later approved to treat heart diseases, including heart failures in diabetic patients. Farxiga helps prevent the hospitalisation needed in cases of cardiovascular disease and reduces the risk of worsening kidney diseases caused by heart failure. 

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    What are the side effects of Farxiga?

    Farxiga causes your kidneys to eliminate excess sugar from your body, which opens the door to infection. Urinary tract infections and genital yeast infections are the most common infections that can occur as a side effect of Farxiga. Other common side effects are:

    • Dehydration because of loss of body water and salts (causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness)
    • Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia (usually occurs when Farxiga is taken with other drugs or diabetic medications that regulate insulin) 
    • Ketoacidosis (a potentially fatal condition where there are high levels of blood acids, called ketones, in the blood)

    What is Farxiga

    Uses of Farxiga

    Side effects of Farxiga

    References

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Farxiga

    Farxiga is an oral pill that can be taken once a day in the morning with or without food. The dosage depends on your body type and response to treatment; hence, strictly follow the prescribed dosage. The maximum dosage is 10 mg/day.

    Drinking too much alcohol while on diabetic treatment can cause a build-up of lactic acid in your body, resulting in serious damage to the kidneys, lungs, heart and blood vessels. Alcohol consumption while on Farxiga medication can fluctuate blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.

    Farxiga is approved by the FDA to treat diabetes and serious heart and kidney diseases. Although Farxiga saves you from serious kidney diseases, one of its side effects is dehydration that can lead to kidney damage. Hence, you should take necessary precautions. Consult our experts and only take Farxiga per the prescribed dosage.

    Farxiga increases the risk of low blood sugar levels in the blood. Hence, Farxiga should not be taken with certain other drugs, including vitamins and supplements. Consult your doctor and inform them about all your medical conditions and risk factors before taking Farxiga to minimise the side effects.

    One of the beneficial side effects that can be seen after taking Farxiga is weight loss. Patients with diabetes have experienced weight loss of about 1.5-3 kgs in 24 weeks. This can happen when Farxiga is taken alone or in combination with other drugs used to treat diabetes.

    Yes, Farxiga can make you pee a lot, as it eliminates blood sugars and water content from your body through the kidneys. Farxiga often causes dehydration as a side effect. Due to the direct effect of Farxiga on your kidneys, you may experience frequent urination.

    One of the beneficial side effects that can be seen after taking Farxiga is weight loss. Diabetic patients have seen a loss in weight of about 1.5-3 kgs in 24weeks. Farxiga is not known to suppress your appetite directly, but the side effects may make you feel less hungry and fuller.

    Yes, Farxiga is a diuretic. Diuretic substances cause you to pass more urine. Farxiga eliminates glucose from the bloodstream through the kidneys, along with water. This may cause dehydration or a drop in your blood pressure. Any dehydration problems should be discussed with your doctor before taking Farxiga.

    Yes, Farxiga may cause constipation in some cases as a side effect. As more water content is excreted from the body, your body may absorb the water from the intestines to make up for the water rebalance. This can lead to hard and dry stools with difficulty in defecation, leading to constipation.

    Farxiga helps eliminate blood sugars through the kidneys. This creates significant pressure on the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage and acute kidney failure in some cases. Hence, if you have chronic kidney diseases, your doctor will not recommend taking Farxiga. Consult our experts and take these medicines only under medical supervision as prescribed.