The use of farxiga or dapagliflozin is not recommended in the case of individuals who have severe kidney disorder or need to rely on dialysis for filtration of blood.
How Effective is Farxiga or Dapagliflozin?
Farxiga or dapagliflozin is an oral medication used to effectively treat diabetes by cutting down the levels of sugar in the blood. Farxiga or dapagliflozin actually assists the kidneys in absorbing more glucose, thus reducing the blood sugar level. Farxiga or dapagliflozin is effectively useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It does not work if you have type-1 diabetes.
If you have any sort of allergy to farxiga or dapagliflozin, you must not take this medication. There are also certain] medical conditions where the use of Farxiga is restricted. These conditions are as follows:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Severe kidney disorder.
Keep your doctor informed about any of the following medical conditions to ensure that farxiga or dapagliflozin is safe for you.
- If you are taking insulin or any other medication for managing diabetes ;
- Kidney disorders;
- Any instance of bladder cancer in the past;
- If you are taking low salt diet to manage blood pressure;
- Liver disorder;
- Congestive heart failure;
- If you are taking any medication for managing high blood pressure
- Low blood pressure;
- Increased level of cholesterol.
It is not clear in any of the studies that whether farxiga or dapagliflozin can actually harm fetus or hamper its development in the womb. However, it is best to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near-future. If you are a mother who is breast feeding a baby, the farxiga or dapagliflozin can pass into your baby from your milk. Thus, breast feeding is not recommended. In the case of any individual who is less than 18 years old, Farxiga must be taken without the recommendation of a doctor.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Farxiga or Dapagliflozin?
General Adult Dose of Farxiga or Dapagliflozin for Diabetes Type 2:
Initially, the dose of farxiga or dapagliflozin must be limited to 5 mg per day taken orally. If the patient does not respond to the dosage as required, it can be increased up to 10 mg daily. The maximum dosage per day must not exceed this level.
If you are taking other medications such as insulin or an insulin secretagogue along with farxiga or dapagliflozin, it is recommended that you reduce the level of insulin and rely mostly on farxiga or dapagliflozin. This will help in reducing any risk of hypoglycemia.
The best results are only obtained when the oral dosage is combined with regular exercise and proper diet as recommended by the doctor.
What are the Side Effects of Farxiga or Dapagliflozin?
In the case of older adults, the following side effects of farxiga or dapagliflozin are more common:
- Flu like symptoms
- Blocked nose is a symptom of farxiga or dapagliflozin.
- Nausea;
- Sore throat,
- Pain in the back.
In case you experience any side effects or symptoms of allergy to farxiga or dapagliflozin, you must report to the nearest medical care centre and get proper treatment. Some of the common allergic reactions include swelling in throat, neck, tongue and lips.
Seek help from a doctor or any other medical expert if you observe any of the following severe side effects of farxiga or dapagliflozin:
- Feel like vomiting or light-headedness
- Difficulty while urinating, traces of blood in urine and frequent urination is a severe symptom of farxiga.
- Symptoms of dehydration such as sweating too much, feeling unusually more thirsty, swelling in ankle and feet and dry skin
- Kidney not functioning properly leading to lack of energy in the body, reduced urination and swelling in ankles and feet.
How Should You Take Farxiga or Dapagliflozin?
The best time to take farxiga or dapagliflozin is morning as recommended by most doctors. The dosage must be followed strictly as per the doctor’s recommendation. If the doctor does not observe any changes, dosage can be increased accordingly.
The dosage of farxiga must not be increased or decreased as lower dosage may not give desired results while higher dosage may cause severe side effects. Stick to a fixed time in a day when it is comfortable for a user or recommended by a doctor. The same time must be maintained each day. If you are having diabetes, your doctor will automatically send someone to check the blood-sugar level in the body. If you observe any signs of allergy, report it to your doctor immediately.
