Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use dapagliflozin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take dapagliflozin.

• Dapagliflozin
• Farxiga
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in dapagliflozin.

Kidney Problems and Chronic Kidney Disease. Dapagliflozin is not recommended for chronic kidney disease if you have polycystic kidney disease or take or have recently taken a medicine for your kidney disease that lowers your body’s ability to fight infection, such as prednisone.

Reduced Kidney Function and Diabetes. Dapagliflozin is not recommended for managing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes if their kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your health care provider may do tests to check if they are working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about dapagliflozin before using it?

Do not take dapagliflozin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share dapagliflozin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep dapagliflozin out of the reach of children.

If you have diabetes, certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your health care provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.

If you have diabetes, talk to your health care provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.

People who are 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from dapagliflozin. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

People who have kidney problems can be at greater risk for some side effects from dapagliflozin. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you have kidney problems.

Dapagliflozin will cause your pee to test positive for glucose (sugar).

Your health care provider will run lab tests to see how well your kidneys are working and make sure you are not dehydrated before starting dapagliflozin.

What should I tell my health care provider before using dapagliflozin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if dapagliflozin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Risk of DKA. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or had DKA in the past. Your health care provider may monitor you more closely or choose a different medicine for you.

• Type 1 diabetes. Your health care provider may want you to monitor for ketones (acids made in your liver) if you are taking dapagliflozin.
• Decrease in your insulin dose
• Serious infection
• Low-salt diet. Your health care provider may suggest diet changes.
• Drink alcohol often or in large amounts
• Pancreas problems, including a history of pancreatitis or surgery on your pancreas.
• Dehydration
• Eating or drinking less than normal
• Vomiting or diarrhea

History of genital yeast infections. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of genital (penis or vagina) yeast infections. This may raise the chance of having yeast infections of the vagina or penis while taking dapagliflozin. Your health care provider may choose a different medicine for you.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Liver problems
• History of kidney or bladder infections or trouble peeing
• Have surgery scheduled

Other Medicines and Supplements. Dapagliflozin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking dapagliflozin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Dapagliflozin may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if dapagliflozin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop dapagliflozin.