What happens if you stop taking Farxiga?

In this article:

• Understanding how Farxiga works
• What happens when you stop taking Farxiga?
• Are there Farxiga withdrawal symptoms?
• Can you stop taking Farxiga suddenly?
• When should you consider stopping Farxiga?
• Farxiga alternatives
• When to call your healthcare provider

In this article

• Understanding how Farxiga works
• What happens when you stop taking Farxiga?
• Are there Farxiga withdrawal symptoms?
• Can you stop taking Farxiga suddenly?
• When should you consider stopping Farxiga?
• Farxiga alternatives
• When to call your healthcare provider

Farxiga (dapagliflozin propanediol) is a prescription medication used in certain people 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise. It has additional indications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): to reduce the serious or deadly risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure, and to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Patients may stop taking Farxiga for a variety of reasons, such as cost, experiencing side effects, or switching medications. However, there are a few things to know before doing so. We’ll explain the risks of stopping Farxiga, any symptoms to expect when stopping, and what medical experts say is the safest way to stop this medication. 

Understanding how Farxiga works

Farxiga is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. SGLT2 is a receptor in the kidneys that reabsorbs glucose from urine into the blood. By inhibiting SGLT2, these drugs remove more glucose from the blood to lower blood sugar. This is how, along with exercise and diet, Farxiga can be used to control blood sugar in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. “The mechanism of this drug helps to lower levels of blood sugar independent of insulin, making it useful for those with Type 2 diabetes,” says Elizabeth Rubin Ribak, MD, physician and clinical adviser at Embers Recovery in Phoenix, Arizona. 

“In addition to regulating glucose, Farxiga protects kidney and heart health,” Dr. Rubin Ribak says. SGLT2 receptors also reabsorb sodium, and since SGLT2 inhibitors prevent the receptors from absorbing sodium, these types of drugs also help lower blood pressure, protect the kidneys from damage in CKD, and prevent complications of heart failure and CKD. It does this partly because of its diuretic effect, which means Farxiga increases the output of urine. “By lowering the glucose and sodium levels in your blood, it helps to take some stress off of the kidneys, improving overall kidney health,” explains Jenna Angerstein, nurse practitioner (NP) at Mochi Health. 

Specifically, Farxiga is approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of: 

• eGFR decline, a measure of kidney dysfunction, in adults with chronic kidney disease
• End-stage kidney disease in adults with chronic kidney disease
• Death due to a heart or blood vessel issue in adults with a history of heart failure
• Hospitalization due to heart failure in adults with a history of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

It is also used to reduce the risk of urgent heart failure visits in adults with heart failure. 

In order to control blood sugar and prevent worsening heart failure and kidney disease, SGLT2 inhibitors like Farxiga are taken long-term as a maintenance therapy. 

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What happens when you stop taking Farxiga?

When you stop taking Farxiga, your health risks may increase because the drug is no longer preventing them. Patients can expect their blood sugar and rate of kidney function decline to eventually return to what they were before they started taking medications, says Angerstein. For example, people with Type 2 diabetes managing their blood sugar may have increased blood sugar levels; people with heart failure may have a higher risk of hospitalization; or people with CKD may have a higher risk of declining kidney function. 

In a study with empagliflozin (the active ingredient in brand-name drug Jardiance), patients who stopped taking the SGLT2 inhibitor had increased risks of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure. After 30 days of stopping, these patients, on average, had higher fasting glucose, body weight, and blood pressure, among other changes.

A review of studies found that stopping SGLT2 inhibitor medications led to a higher risk of hospitalization due to heart failure.

Any side effects of Farxiga should improve once you stop taking it. Common side effects include yeast infections, a runny nose, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and back pain. 

Are there Farxiga withdrawal symptoms?

According to its prescribing information, there aren’t any withdrawal symptoms from stopping Farxiga. Patients who stop taking the drug may have symptoms of their underlying conditions re-emerging, for example:

• Weakness, frequent urination, and increased hunger in people with unmanaged Type 2 diabetes
• Shortness of breath, tiredness, swelling, and digestive issues in people with unmanaged heart failure
• Swelling in the hands and feet, and puffiness under the eyes, in people with unmanaged chronic kidney disease

“There aren’t any classic withdrawal symptoms with this medication, but stopping Farxiga abruptly can cause the levels of blood sugar to rise and may worsen fluid retention or disease progression in those with CKD or heart failure,” Dr. Rubin Ribak says. 

Can you stop taking Farxiga suddenly?

It’s important not to stop taking Farxiga suddenly without medical guidance. Though there aren’t known withdrawal symptoms, as mentioned above, stopping your medication may lead to symptoms of the underlying conditions that Farxiga was controlling. “Any discontinuation or adjustments of medication should be discussed with a healthcare provider and monitored closely during the transition,” Dr. Rubin Ribak advises.

When should you consider stopping Farxiga?

You should ask your healthcare provider about stopping Farxiga if you’re experiencing new, prolonged, or severe symptoms. These could be side effects of taking the drug, interactions, or allergies to Farxiga. In clinical trials, patients stopped taking Farxiga due to allergic reactions and yeast infections, and side effect rates were similar between lower and higher doses (10 mg versus 5 mg). 

You may also have to stop taking Farxiga if you have an upcoming medical procedure. Your healthcare provider can advise you when to stop Farxiga before surgery, but SGLT2 inhibitors are typically paused at least three days prior to surgery, according to the drug’s label. Your healthcare provider will let you know when to restart Farxiga after surgery, as these recommendations depend on the type of surgery and other considerations.

Some patients may want to stop Farxiga for other reasons, such as cost. Farxiga costs on average $822 for 30, 10 mg tablets without insurance, a monthly cost that can add up without insurance coverage or discounts. Switching to another medication can help someone continue to manage their health while reducing the burden of cost or side effects. 

Farxiga alternatives

Depending on your needs, your healthcare provider may consider a few alternatives if Farxiga isn’t working out:

• Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor and, similar to Farxiga, can help certain people with Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney problems. It has similar side effects to Farxiga. 
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GIP/GLP1) agonist drug used in people with Type 2 diabetes. It has a different side effect and risk profile than SGLT2 inhibitors and has been used off-label for weight loss. 
• Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drug in a similar class as Mounjaro. It’s used in certain adults with Type 2 diabetes, and it can be used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It’s also approved to prevent worsening kidney function and death due to cardiovascular disease in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Off-label use is seen in weight management.
• Invokana (canagliflozin) is another SGLT2 inhibitor used in certain people with Type 2 diabetes.
• Metformin is a generic medication commonly prescribed to help manage blood sugar, but it is contraindicated in people with severe kidney disease.

If cost is an issue with Farxiga, there are ways to save. Consider the following discounts and ways that make your monthly Farxiga prescription more affordable: 

1. Use a SingleCare coupon: SingleCare coupons are free, and you can use them at many retail pharmacies. By showing your SingleCare card or coupon at the pharmacy counter, you can pay as low as $468 for 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Farxiga. 
2. Switch to a generic: Generic medications can be more affordable than their brand-name versions. Dapagliflozin propanediol is the generic version of Farxiga. The average retail price of generic dapagliflozin propanediol is $771 for 30, 10 mg tablets. With a SingleCare coupon, dapagliflozin propanediol can cost as low as $360 for 30, 10 mg tablets. 
3. Consider manufacturer discounts: Drug manufacturer AstraZeneca offers a Farxiga copay card for people with private healthcare insurance benefits. The savings card also helps to cover some of the out-of-pocket costs for those without insurance, up to $150. 
4. Apply for patient assistance: AstraZeneca has a patient assistance program for Farxiga called AZ&Me, which provides certain patients with an annual supply of the drug at no cost. To be eligible, you’ll have to have a valid prescription and meet certain income and coverage criteria. 

When to call your healthcare provider

There are certain situations when a visit to your healthcare provider is needed. When starting to take Farxiga, any new or severe side effects should be brought to your healthcare provider’s attention immediately, such as dehydration, low blood sugar, and ketoacidosis, which is when ketones accumulate in the blood.  

Individuals consistently taking Farxiga should continue to monitor their symptoms regularly to ensure there are no new or worsening symptoms. In studies, SGLT2 inhibitors may temporarily decrease kidney function before improving it with long-term use. 

People stopping Farxiga may look out for symptoms of worsening heart failure, blood sugar control, or kidney function. As mentioned above, these symptoms can include weakness or increased hunger in people with Type 2 diabetes, shortness of breath or tiredness in people with heart failure, or swelling or water retention in people with chronic kidney disease. 

Working with your healthcare provider when taking Farxiga can help them adjust your care so that it’s safe and effective at managing your conditions. 

The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Dec. 15, 2025. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Farxiga coupon page for updated Farxiga prices near you.