Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a prescription drug that helps control blood sugar and weight. It belongs to a group of SGLT2 inhibitors, which work by lowering blood sugar levels by preventing your kidneys from reabsorbing glucose (sugar). This means that you pass more urine and urinate more often. It's important to drink plenty of water when taking Farxiga, so you don't get dehydrated.
What is Farxiga?
Farxiga is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which increase the amount of glucose that passes through the urine and thus help lower blood sugar levels.
Farxiga is often prescribed with other medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas. It may also be used along with other antidiabetic medications as part of a treatment plan for type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet and exercise are not enough to control your blood sugar level
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. It is the most common form of diabetes, resulting when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or your cells stop responding to the hormone.
People with type 2 have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage than people without this condition. Type 2 can also cause blindness, nerve damage, and other complications that may be serious and even life-threatening if left untreated.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, extreme thirst and hunger (even after eating), fatigue/tiredness, weight loss or weight gain, and blurred vision
Who should take Farxiga?
People with type 2 diabetes:
If you have type 2 diabetes, Farxiga may be a good option if you're not taking insulin. You should also talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking Farxiga if you take metformin or another medicine that lowers blood sugar. Your doctor may decide to stop giving you any medication that lowers blood sugar because of how well Farxiga works at lowering blood glucose levels. If this happens, you need to know what signs of low blood sugar are so that you can treat them quickly with something like glucose tablets (also known as sweets).
People with type 1 diabetes:
Farxiga is approved for use in people with both types 1 and 2 diabetes. People with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes should check their ketone levels regularly while taking Farxiga because it can make ketones build up in their bodies more than other medicines. It's also important for these patients to talk with their doctors about how often they should test their urine or blood glucose levels during exercise since this helps prevent low blood sugar episodes caused by exercise when taken without a meal before exercise begins
Who should not take Farxiga?
The following groups of people should not take Farxiga (dapagliflozin):
● People with kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, your doctor will likely recommend another diabetes drug instead of Farxiga.
● People with liver disease. If you have liver disease, your doctor will likely recommend another diabetes drug instead of Farxiga.
● People with heart problems or eye problems that may be related to taking this medication should not take it either. It's important to let your doctor know if you experience any side effects from this medicine so that they can help you manage those effects better and keep them under control as much as possible!
● Patients whose blood pressure drops too low while taking this medication should also talk to their doctors before taking it as well - they may want to consider changing medications altogether if they're unable or unwilling to adjust their dose accordingly based on how often these episodes occur (or how severe they are).
If you have low blood sugar, potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels in your body due to taking this medication, stop taking it immediately! It's important to tell your doctor about any side effects that occur while using FARXIGA® (dapagliflozin) so they can help manage those effects better and keep them under control as much as possible! Your health care provider may want to consider changing medicines altogether if you are unable or unwilling to adjust your dose accordingly
How to take Farxiga
Farxiga is a once-a-day dose that you take with or without food.
Because you're taking Farxiga with a meal, it's important to start your day by eating breakfast and scheduling your daily dose of the drug for after you've eaten. This will help prevent low blood sugar levels. If you forget to take it in the morning, don't worry! You can still take the medication—it won't be harmful if you take it later in the day. However, if you have trouble remembering to take your medication regularly, ask your doctor about other options (like an insulin pump).
It's also important that no one drink grapefruit juice while taking Farxiga unless they're aware of how their bodies react to this combination. The active ingredient in grapefruit juice interferes with dapagliflozin, making its effects stronger than usual—and not in a good way! If this happens (and if drinking grapefruit juice isn't part of your daily routine), seek medical attention immediately; otherwise, just avoid drinking any amount at all during the treatment period
Is it safe to take Farxiga if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. If you become pregnant, stop taking FORXIGA and speak with your doctor immediately. There is insufficient data on pregnant women to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriage. It is unknown whether FARXIGA can cause fetal harm during pregnancy; however, animal reproduction studies have demonstrated adverse effects on the fetus, including embryo-fetal death and placental abnormalities following high dose administration of dapagliflozin. This drug is not recommended while breastfeeding due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants.
Does Farxiga cause weight gain or loss?
Farxiga can help you lose weight if you have a BMI of 30 or more. In a study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Farxiga was shown to cause an average of 3.7% weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes whose BMI was 30 or greater at the beginning of the study. However, it can also cause weight gain if your BMI is less than 30, as it did in another FDA-sponsored study that showed an increase in body mass index (BMI) among patients taking dapagliflozin over those who didn't take any diabetes medications at all—a difference that could be due to water retention caused by treatment-emergent adverse effects such as hyponatremia (low sodium levels).
To determine whether Farxiga may be right for you and whether it's worth trying out, talk with your doctor about your health history and goals before making any decisions regarding treatment options or lifestyle changes like dieting or exercise routines.
Can I take metformin with Farxiga?
Metformin should not be taken with Farxiga, as it can raise blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
It is important to note that when you take metformin and other medications that cause weight loss or lower your blood glucose levels (like insulin), you may also need to adjust your dosage.
Does Farxiga lower blood pressure?
Farxiga can lower your blood pressure, but only if you're at risk for or have high blood pressure.
If you have type 2 diabetes and are taking Farxiga, your doctor will likely monitor your blood pressure to ensure it doesn't drop too much. If it does, he or she may suggest a different diabetes medication or add another drug to raise low blood pressure back up to normal levels again.
If you have type 1 diabetes and take Farxiga, be aware that the medication may lower blood pressure even further than it does in people with type 2 diabetes who take the same drug—so make sure that only happens if it's safe for your health (i.e., not too low).
Farxiga isn't recommended for people with low blood pressure, as it can worsen symptoms. If your doctor thinks there's a possibility that you'll become pregnant while taking this medicine—even if it's just because you're having unprotected sex and don't want kids yet—tell him or her right away, so they know what to do.
Does alcohol affect Farxiga, dapagliflozin side effects?
There is no easy answer regarding alcohol and how it may affect your medication. Generally, it is always best to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to get specific guidance on this topic. That said, we can provide some general information about alcohol and the medication Farxiga and dapagliflozin.
It is important to note that alcohol may increase the risk of dehydration, a common side effect of Farxiga. Dehydration can lead to serious medical complications, so it is important to be extra vigilant if you drink alcohol while taking this medication.
In addition, alcohol may also increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is another potential side effect of Farxiga, so it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you are drinking alcohol.
Overall, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking Farxiga. If you choose to drink, stay hydrated and closely monitor your blood sugar levels. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor or healthcare provider.
Conclusion
So, who should take Farxiga? If you have type 2 diabetes, then Farxiga is a great choice for controlling your blood sugar and weight. It’s also safe to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. But some people should not take this drug: those with kidney problems or heart failure, for example. People taking metformin should talk with their doctor before starting a new medication like Farxiga because it may affect how well both drugs work together.
