• Take Farxiga once daily, preferably at the same time each day.
  
  
• You can take it with or without food.
  
  
• Do not crush or break the tablet.
  
  
• Drink enough water throughout the day, especially in hot weather or if you’re exercising.
  
  
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
  
  
• Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.
  
  

Farxiga works by helping your body get rid of extra sugar through the urine.

Here’s how it works:

• In people with diabetes, the kidneys usually reabsorb sugar back into the blood.
  
  
• Farxiga blocks the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys.
  
  
• This helps the kidneys remove excess glucose from the blood through urine.
  
  

As a result:

• Blood sugar levels go down.
  
  
• The body loses extra calories and water.
  
  
• Blood pressure may also decrease.
  
  
• In people with heart failure or kidney disease, Farxiga reduces strain on the heart and kidneys.
  
  

Because of these effects, Farxiga is used not only for diabetes but also to protect the heart and kidneys.

Like all medicines, Farxiga can cause side effects. Some are mild, while others may be serious.

Common Side Effects:

• Urinary tract infections
  
  
• Genital yeast infections (more common in women)
  
  
• Increased urination
  
  
• Dehydration or dizziness
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Back pain
  
  
• Nausea
  
  

These side effects are usually mild and go away over time.

Serious Side Effects:

• Ketoacidosis (even with normal blood sugar): Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, and stomach pain
  
  
• Severe urinary tract infections
  
  
• Low blood pressure, especially in people on water pills
  
  
• Kidney problems
  
  
• Fournier’s gangrene (a rare, serious genital infection)
  
  
• Low blood sugar, if used with insulin or other diabetes drugs
  
  
• High cholesterol levels (slight increase)
  
  

Seek medical help if you notice severe symptoms like pain, fever, swelling, or unusual genital symptoms.

Before taking Farxiga, tell your doctor if you:

• Have type 1 diabetes
  
  
• Have a history of ketoacidosis
  
  
• Have kidney disease or are on dialysis
  
  
• Have liver disease
  
  
• Are dehydrated or on a low-salt diet
  
  
• Take diuretics (water pills)
  
  
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  
  
• Are breastfeeding
  
  

Other precautions:

• Monitor blood sugar if you are diabetic
  
  
• Drink fluids regularly to prevent dehydration
  
  
• Tell your doctor if you get frequent infections
  
  
• Be careful in hot weather or when exercising
  
  
• Do not use in children under 18 years old, unless prescribed specifically
  
  

Women should use reliable birth control while using Farxiga if of childbearing age.

Farxiga may interact with certain other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you use:

• Diuretics (water pills): Can increase dehydration risk
  
  
• Insulin or sulfonylureas (like glipizide): Can increase risk of low blood sugar
  
  
• Blood pressure medications
  
  
• Lithium (for mental health conditions)
  
  
• Other diabetes medicines
  
  

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking.

Using Farxiga properly is important for getting the most benefit.

• Take once daily, exactly as prescribed
  
  
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember
  
  
• Do not double up on the next dose
  
  
• Do not stop taking it suddenly unless told by your doctor
  
  
• Check kidney function regularly—your doctor may order lab tests
  
  
• If you are on insulin or other diabetes drugs, check blood sugar more often
  
  

Tell your doctor if you have surgery, severe illness, or infection, as you may need to stop Farxiga temporarily.

Farxiga is a prescription-only medicine. You must see a healthcare provider to get it.

Before prescribing Farxiga, your doctor will:

• Review your medical history
  
  
• Check your kidney function (through blood and urine tests)
  
  
• Ask about other diabetes medications you are using
  
  
• Check your heart and liver health
  
  
• Monitor for signs of low blood pressure or dehydration
  
  

Do not take Farxiga based on someone else’s prescription. It is important to be evaluated and monitored while using this medicine.

• What is Farxiga used for?
  It is used to:

  • Improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Reduce the risk of heart failure hospitalization in adults with heart failure (with or without diabetes)

  • Slow kidney disease progression and reduce risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• What is the active ingredient?
  Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.

• How does Farxiga work?
  It helps the kidneys remove excess glucose from the bloodstream through urine and reduces heart and kidney strain.

• Is Farxiga used for type 1 diabetes?
  No, it is not approved for type 1 diabetes, as it may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

• How is Farxiga taken?
  Orally, once daily, usually in the morning, with or without food.

• What are the available strengths?
  Tablets of 5 mg and 10 mg.

• What are the common side effects?
  Urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, increased urination, thirst, and mild dehydration.

• Are there serious side effects?
  Yes, possible risks include:

  • Ketoacidosis (even with normal blood sugar)

  • Severe urinary tract infections

  • Low blood pressure

  • Kidney problems

  • Fournier’s gangrene (a rare genital infection)

• Can Farxiga cause weight loss?
  Yes, mild weight reduction may occur due to glucose loss through urine.

• Can it cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
  Alone, rarely—but the risk increases when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.

• Is Farxiga safe during pregnancy?
  Not recommended during the second and third trimesters; consult your doctor.

• Can I take it while breastfeeding?
  Not recommended, as it may pass into breast milk and affect kidney development in infants.

• Does Farxiga help with heart failure?
  Yes—it has been proven to reduce hospitalization and cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure, regardless of diabetes status.

• Does it protect the kidneys?
  Yes, it slows chronic kidney disease progression and lowers the risk of kidney failure.

• Does Farxiga interact with other medications?
  Yes—especially diuretics (water pills), blood pressure drugs, and other diabetes medications.

• Can alcohol be consumed while taking Farxiga?
  Alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar and dehydration, so it should be limited.

• How long does it take to work?
  Blood sugar levels may improve within a few days, while heart and kidney benefits develop over weeks to months.

• Is there a generic version available?
  No, Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is currently available as brand only.

• Where can I get Farxiga?
  Available at pharmacies with a prescription.