What is Farxiga used for?

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an prescription medication combined with diet and exercise to decrease blood sugar in those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It also helps to reduce the risks of kidney and heart complications in patients with certain medical health conditions. Farxiga is not indicated to treat types 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis or chronic kidney disease (CKD) for patients suffering from polycystic kidney disease.

What are the uses of Farxiga?

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an approved sodium-glucose COtransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor manufactured by AstraZeneca. It is approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Alongside diet and exercise to increase blood sugar control for adults suffering from T2DM.
Reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adult patients with T2DM or with established cardiovascular disease or other coronary risk factors.
To reduce the chance of dying from cardiovascular disease (heart attack stroke) and hospitalization for heart failure in adults suffering from heart failure that has a reduced Ejection Fraction (NYHA classification II-IV).
To reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerularfiltration rate (eGFR) decline End-stage kidney disease cardiovascular death, and hospitalization due to heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at the risk of progress.

What is Farxiga function?

Farxiga can inhibit the sodium-glucose-co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) located in your kidneys. By blocking SGLT2 Farxiga, it decreases renal reabsorption of filtered glucose back into the bloodstream, and, consequently, increases glucose excretion. Farxiga also reduces sodium reabsorption as well as both the preload and afterload in your heart which makes it easier to pump blood around your body.

Are there any commonly prescribed doses of Farxiga?

5 mg tablet
10 mg tablet

How to use Farxiga

Take Farxiga exactly as your healthcare professional prescribes the medication to you. Don’t alter your Farxiga dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
Take a look at the complete Prescribing Information and Medication Instructions provided by your pharmacist before you begin taking Farxiga and every time you refill.
Farxiga is consumed by mouth once a day, in combination with food or no food.
Make sure you adhere to the prescribed diet and exercise routine while taking Farxiga.
Farxiga may make your urine be positive for glucose.
There are a variety of tests for your blood to determine your blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels before you start Farxiga and also during the course of your treatment.
If you miss a dose, immediately take it. If it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and begin taking the medicine when you are scheduled for the next time. Do not take additional doses of Farxiga in order to make up for a missed dose.
If you are taking excessive amounts of Farxiga contact your physician or go to an emergency room immediately.

Farxiga contraindications

Farxiga is contraindicated if you:

Have a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Farxiga or any of its active components.
Are a dialysis patient.

Farxiga warnings

Be aware of signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis or metabolic acidosis (nausea, vomiting stomach pain, trouble breathing). Farxiga is best to stop and ketoacidosis treatment begun once it’s been diagnosed.
Farxiga can increase your chance of becoming dehydrated and causing volume diminution. Your doctor should check your kidney function before starting Farxiga if you suffer from kidney disease, are older or on loop diuretics. Inform your doctor of any indications or symptoms of kidney issues or depletion of volume during Farxiga therapy (decreased urine production, dry mouth, excessive thirst, increased heart rate, dizziness, fainting).
Check for symptoms and signs of urosepsis and pyelonephritis (urinary tract infections) and then treat it if you notice.
The dosage of the insulin secretagogue (also known as insulin) may have to be decreased when you start Farxiga to lower the risk of hypoglycemia (low glucose levels).
Farxiga increases the risk of contracting a life-threatening genital infection (Fournier’s Gangrene) in both males and females. It is imperative to seek treatment immediately if you have symptoms like discomfort, tenderness, redness, and swelling, in the perineal or genital area along with fever and tiredness.
It is recommended to be watched by a doctor for the presence of genital infection (yeast infections) while taking Farxiga.
Before beginning Farxiga, tell your doctor whether you suffer from an infection of the pancreas (swelling that is affecting your pancreas) or been through surgery to remove the pancreas.
Serious allergic reactions have occurred during the use of Farxiga. Stop taking Farxiga as soon as possible and consult a physician when you experience an allergic reaction.
Based on animal studies showing negative effects on kidneys, Farxiga is not recommended in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
It is not clear if Farxiga is found inside human breast milk or how it might affect the infant who is breastfed if it’s present. However, due to the risk of serious adverse events occurring in breastfed infants, use of Farxiga is not recommended while breastfeeding.

Farxiga drug interactions

The combination of Farxiga along with other medications could affect how they work. It can also make it more likely to experience the severity of certain adverse consequences. Check with your physician to be aware of every medication you take, which includes prescription medicines, over-thecounter drugs supplements, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some major drug interactions of Farxiga are:

Diuretics can cause increased the frequency and volume of urine, which can lead to the loss of volume as well as hypotension (low blood pressure).
Secretagogues of insulin (sulfonylurea) also known as insulin increases your risk of having the condition known as hypoglycemia (low glucose levels).

Effects side-effects of Farxiga

Some common side effects of Farxiga include:

Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Female genital mycotic illnesses (yeast infection)
Common cold symptoms
Back pain
More frequent urination
Nausea
Weight loss
Constipation

Farxiga can cause serious side effects, including:

The condition is known as ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your urine or in your blood)
Volume depletion
Fournier’s Gangrene
Higher risk of hypoglycemia combined with insulin secretagogues, insulin
Serious allergic reactions

Farxiga alternatives

If Farxiga isn’t the right choice for your needs, you can try several other type 2 diabetes medications that your doctor may recommend. Alternative treatment options approved by FDA include:

Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Invokana (canagliflozin)
Invokamet (canagliflozin/metformin)
Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Ozempic (semaglutide)

Is Farxiga better than Glucophage (metformin)?

Farxiga belongs to a class of medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors. It slows down the reabsorption process of glucose in the bloodstream, and also increases the excretion of glucose through your urine.

Metformin is classified as majoruanide. It helps by making it easier for your cells to absorb and utilize sugar. It also reduces how much sugar you absorb from food and decreases the production of sugar in your liver. Metformin is considered the first option of treatment for people with Type 2 Diabetes. Farxiga is often used as supplement therapy, or when you have failed other diabetes medications. Farxiga could also help to protect against heart and kidney diseases.

There are no studies available to direct comparison of their effectiveness. But, metformin has been shown to reduce HbA1c levels by approximately 2percent, while Farxiga can lower it by 1 %.

Farxiga cost

Price is a significant distinction the price of Farxiga and Metformin. Metformin is fairly inexpensive , and it costs about $8 for a month’s supply of #60, 500mg tablets. Farxiga is more expensive and costs around 550 dollars for the month’s worth of #30 tablets with 10 mg.

Farxiga FAQs

Can Farxiga be used in heart failure patients if they do not have type 2 diabetes?

Yes Clinical trials have proved that Farxiga is effective for patients suffering from heart disease, and without or with type 2 diabetes.

How does Farxiga help with heart failure?

Farxiga assists in the treatment of heart problems by reducing sodium absorption and increasing sodium excretion. This eases the burden of your heart which makes it easier to circulate blood throughout your body.

Do I lose weight by taking Farxiga?

Farxiga is not a prescription to lose weight, but you might lose weight while taking it. In clinical trials, patients taking Farxiga lost up to seven pounds (3kg) after six years of therapy.
How long will Farxiga remain on the market?

Based on a half-life that is close to 13 hours following a single dose taken by mouth of 10 mg of Farxiga and will be within the bloodstream a less than 2.5 days.

How can I keep Farxiga?

Farxiga should be kept at room temperatures between 68 degF and 77 degF (20degC up to 25degC) far from light and moisture.

What is the time frame for Farxiga’s work to begin?

Your blood glucose levels should start to decline during the first few days after starting Farxiga.

Do I need to have my labs monitored while taking Farxiga?

The doctor will run urine or blood tests to check your kidney and liver function, blood sugar level, hemoglobin A1c levels, cholesterol levels, and the presence of ketones before you begin Farxiga and while you are taking it.

Is there a generic term for Farxiga?

Presently, there’s not an alternative to Farxiga that is available. However, you can get brand name drugs such as Farxiga through NiceRx.