dapagliflozin

Pronunciation: DAP a gli FLOE zin

Brand: Farxiga

Farxiga

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10 mg, diamond, yellow, imprinted with 10, 1428

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What is the most important information I should know about dapagliflozin?

Tell your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Dapagliflozin can cause serious infections around the penis or vagina. Get medical help right away if you have burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, or if you don't feel well.

What is dapagliflozin?

Dapagliflozin is used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (not for type 1 diabetes).

Dapagliflozin is also used to lower the risk of needing to be in a hospital for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.

Dapagliflozin is also used in adults to lower the risk of dying or needing to be in a hospital for heart failure when your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Dapagliflozin is also used to reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease and hospitalization or death from heart problems in adults who also have kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

Dapagliflozin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dapagliflozin?

You should not use dapagliflozin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
  • diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • polycystic kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • bladder infections or other urination problems;
  • problems with your pancreas, including surgery;
  • alcoholism, or if you currently drink large amounts of alcohol; or
  • if you are on a low salt diet.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.

You should not use dapagliflozin during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Do not breastfeed.

How should I take dapagliflozin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take dapagliflozin with or without food.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may also need to test the level of ketones in your urine. Dapagliflozin can cause life-threatening ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood). Even if your blood sugar is normal, contact your doctor if a urine test shows that you have high ketones in the urine.

Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.

You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using dapagliflozin.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and special medical care.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking dapagliflozin?

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

What are the possible side effects of dapagliflozin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs of a genital infection (penis or vagina): burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness or swelling of the genital or rectal area, fever, not feeling well. These symptoms may get worse quickly.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • dehydration --dizziness, confusion, feeling very thirsty, less urination;
  • kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
  • ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood) --nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing; or
  • signs of a bladder infection --pain or burning when you urinate, increased urination, blood in your urine, fever, pain in your pelvis or back.

Some side effects may be more likely to occur in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

  • genital yeast infection;
  • urinating more than usual; or
  • sore throat and runny or stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect dapagliflozin?

Other drugs may increase or decrease the effects of dapagliflozin on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • insulin or other oral diabetes medicines;
  • a diuretic or "water pill"; or
  • lithium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect dapagliflozin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about dapagliflozin.

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