Dapagliflozin - Common brand: Forxiga

What dapagliflozin is for

Dapagliflozin can be used as a treatment for:

• type 2 diabetes
• heart failure
• chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Dapagliflozin works by reducing the amount of sugar (glucose) in your body through peeing. It can also reduce the amount of work your heart needs to do to pump blood around the body.

How to take dapagliflozin

Dapagliflozin comes as tablets that you swallow.

You take dapagliflozin once a day. Try to take it at the same time each day, with or without food.

You'll usually need to take dapagliflozin long term.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you’re not sure how to take it or you have any problems taking it.

If you get ill with vomiting, diarrhoea or a high temperature (fever) when taking dapagliflozin, there's a risk you'll get dehydrated. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice, or follow the advice they've already given you.

If you miss a dose of dapagliflozin

If you miss a dose of dapagliflozin, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s 12 hours until your next dose.

If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much dapagliflozin

Taking an extra dose of dapagliflozin is unlikely to cause problems, but it’s important to get medical advice if you take too much as it can sometimes be dangerous.

Side effects of dapagliflozin

Like all medicines, dapagliflozin can cause side effects but not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of dapagliflozin include:

• fungal infections (thrush)
• back pain
• peeing more than usual
• low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) that make you feel dizzy or faint

If you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking dapagliflozin, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Serious side effects

Dapagliflozin can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of dapagliflozin include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or angioedema, which cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
• diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that makes you feel very thirsty, confused, unusually tired or causes breath that smells sweet
• severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) that can cause a high temperature, make you feel shivery or cause a burning sensation when you pee
• Fournier’s gangrene, (a serious infection that affects the vagina and penis) – causing symptoms such as severe pain, swelling, redness and blisters

Who can and cannot take dapagliflozin

Most adults and children aged 10 years and over can take dapagliflozin, but it’s not suitable for everyone.

It may not be suitable if :

• you've ever had an allergic rection to or serious side effect from dapagliflozin
• you have type 1 diabetes
• you have a liver problem
• you take medicine for low blood pressure (hypotension)
• you often get UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Before taking dapagliflozin, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and dapagliflozin

Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding.

You should avoid dapagliflozin while breastfeeding as the medicine may pass into breast milk.

Pregnancy and dapagliflozin

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or become pregnant while using dapagliflozin.

You should avoid dapagliflozin during pregnancy. This is because there is not enough information to say it’s safe for your baby.

Taking dapagliflozin with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with dapagliflozin.

These include:

• medicines to treat build-up of fluid (oedema) in the body, such as furosemide
• some other diabetes medicines, such as gliclazide
• medicines that may cause an increase in high blood pressure (hypertension), such as amlodipine or ramipril
• lithium

Before you take dapagliflozin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with dapagliflozin

You can eat and drink while taking dapagliflozin.

If you have type 2 diabetes, follow the general dietary advice you’ve been given to help control your diabetes.

Try to limit how much alcohol you drink while taking dapagliflozin. It can increase the risk of side effects such as low your blood pressure.