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What is Farxiga: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Licensed Pharmacist
Updated Jan 19, 2024  •  Published Dec 30, 2020
Fact Checked

Farxiga is an oral brand-name medication used to help control blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. This prescription drug is used as part of a treatment plan, along with diet and exercise, and sometimes other medications such as metformin. The active ingredient in Farxiga is called dapagliflozin, and it is a member of a class of medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It works by helping the removal of sugar, or glucose, through the kidneys in the urine.

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Farxiga overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Farxiga

Generic Names:

  • No generic available at this time

Uses:

  • Helps control blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, in people with Type 2 diabetes

  • Lowers the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart and blood vessel disease or with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

  • Lowers the risk of hospitalization and death from heart and blood vessel disease in adults with heart failure.

  • Lowers the risk of kidney disease progression, heart failure hospitalization, and death due to heart disease in adults with kidney disease.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

Key takeaways

  • Take Farxiga once daily as directed by your doctor. 

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions for checking your blood sugar levels, and know what to do if you have low or high blood sugar. Keep all follow-up appointments and appointments for blood tests.

  • Know the possible side effects (see below), what symptoms to look for, and what to do if you have a serious side effect.

What form(s) does Farxiga come in

  • Tablet

    • 5 mg 

    • 10 mg

What are common Farxiga doses?

  • For Type 2 diabetes, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg by mouth once daily. The health care provider may increase the dose to 10 mg by mouth once daily, if needed.

  • For all other uses, the starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.

Common Farxiga prescriptions

  • Farxiga
    30 tablets bottle

  • Farxiga
    10mg tablet

  • Farxiga
    5mg tablet

How to take Farxiga

  • Before taking Farxiga, read the prescription label, the patient information leaflet, and the Medication Guide. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Take your medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take Farxiga with or without food.

  • Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep out of reach and out of sight of children and pets.

  • Check your blood sugar as directed by your healthcare provider. Know what to do if your blood sugar is too high or too low.

What to do if you miss a dose of Farxiga

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Farxiga contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Before taking Farxiga, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions and medical history. Do not use Farxiga if:

    • You have a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to dapagliflozin or any ingredient in Farxiga

    • You are pregnant 

    • You are breastfeeding

Farxiga warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, or a history of pancreas problems, or genital yeast or urinary tract infections. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet, if you drink alcohol, or if you are having medical or dental surgery or other procedures.

  • Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:

    • Low blood pressure (older adults may be more affected by this)

    • Volume depletion

    • Ketoacidosis (high blood acids)

    • Kidney problems

    • Increased risk of genital yeast or urinary tract infections

    • Low blood sugar, when used with insulin or certain other diabetes medicines

    • Fournier's gangrene (a life-threatening infection in the genital or anal area)

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do medical tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Farxiga interactions

Before taking Farxiga, tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Some examples of drug interactions with Farxiga include, but are not limited to:

If you drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider about alcohol use before taking Farxiga. 

This is not a full list of drug interactions. Consult your healthcare provider for more information and medical advice about drug interactions and how they may affect you.

Farxiga side effects

Get emergency medical attention if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. 

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis may include fast or troubled breathing, unusual tiredness, abdominal pain, nausea, and/or vomiting. If any of these symptoms occur, get emergency medical care or call your doctor right away.

Also, because Farxiga can cause a life-threatening infection of the genital or anal area, get emergency medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever 

  • Feeling unwell

  • Burning, itching, odor, pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or discharge of the genital or rectal area 

Serious possible side effects of Farxiga

  • Dehydration: be alert to increased thirst, dry mouth, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Low blood sugar: Symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, include increased hunger, headache, confusion, shaking, trembling, sweating

  • UTI: Signs of a urinary tract infection include a change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody urine, painful or difficult urination, lower back or side pain, chills

Less serious possible side effects of Farxiga

  • Frequent urination, especially at night

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Sore throat

  • Leg pain

  • Arm pain

  • Constipation

This is not a complete list of possible side effects, and others may occur. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about side effects.

Sources:

Farxiga News & Research

Does Medicaid cover Farxiga?

How much water should you drink when taking Farxiga?

Can I take Farxiga at night?

Farxiga for dogs: Usage, safety, and dosage

Rybelsus vs. Farxiga: Differences, similarities & side effects

Does Farxiga cause weight loss?

What is Farxiga used for?

Average cost of Farxiga on Medicare

How does Farxiga help kidneys?

Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Licensed Pharmacist

After receiving her doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Karen Berger, Pharm.D., has worked in both chain and independent community pharmacies. She currently works at an independent pharmacy in New Jersey. Dr. Berger enjoys helping patients understand medical conditions and medications—both in person as a pharmacist, and online as a medical writer and reviewer.

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