Dapagliflozin
Dapagliflozin is a once-daily tablet for type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease, sold here as Farxiga in 5mg and 10mg strengths.
Dapagliflozin brings blood sugar down by sending more of it out of the body in urine, and it takes some of the strain off the heart. One tablet a day covers all of that.
What dapagliflozin treats
Type 2 diabetes is the use most people know it for: the tablets lower blood sugar that has drifted up over time. The same ingredient is used in heart failure, where it cuts the work the heart does to pump blood around the body, and in chronic kidney disease, where it helps slow the loss of kidney function. All three are long-term conditions, so the tablets are usually taken for years. Adults and children aged 10 and over can take dapagliflozin.
How dapagliflozin works
It belongs to a group called SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 is a protein in the kidneys that normally pulls glucose back into the bloodstream; dapagliflozin blocks it, so part of that glucose stays in the urine and leaves the body when you pee. The effect does not depend on insulin, so it holds whether your body makes a lot of insulin or a little. Extra sugar in the urine is also why you may notice more trips to the toilet.
Taking the tablets
Take one tablet a day, ideally when it fits the same part of your routine. Meals make no difference to it. Treatment is normally long term, and blood sugar can rise again if the tablets are stopped suddenly. Vomiting, diarrhoea or a high temperature can leave you short of fluid while you are on dapagliflozin. Water tablets such as furosemide, other diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, blood-pressure medicines and lithium can all affect how it works, and alcohol is best kept light because it can lower blood pressure.
Side effects worth knowing
Thrush — a fungal infection that usually shows up around the genitals — is the common one, along with peeing more than usual and back pain. Blood sugar can also dip low enough to make you dizzy or faint, which is more likely if you take other diabetes medicines too. Rare but serious effects include a severe allergic reaction (a swollen tongue or throat, an itchy raised rash, difficulty breathing), which needs urgent treatment. Diabetic ketoacidosis brings great thirst, confusion, unusual tiredness and breath that smells sweet; a severe urinary tract infection brings a high temperature, shivering and burning when you pee. Fournier's gangrene — severe pain, swelling, redness and blisters around the genitals or the area between the legs — is a further rare risk.
Farxiga strengths
Farxiga is the dapagliflozin tablet sold here, in 5mg and 10mg. Both strengths are used in type 2 diabetes; 10mg is the strength taken for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. It is one of the diabetes medicines sold here. Dapagliflozin is not used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Sources
- Dapagliflozin - NHS — National Health Service
- Dapagliflozin - Patient Information Leaflet — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Can I order Dapagliflozin online in Hong Kong?
Generic Farxiga tablets can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong, in 5mg and 10mg strengths. Every order arrives in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about what is inside.
What is the price of Dapagliflozin?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Farxiga page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Dapagliflozin?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order dapagliflozin. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for dapagliflozin?
Farxiga is a brand name of dapagliflozin, which is also sold as Dapa and Edistride. Here, dapagliflozin can be bought online as generic Farxiga. These are generics, not the original brand.
What is the difference between Farxiga and dapagliflozin?
Dapagliflozin is the active ingredient and Farxiga is the brand name it is sold under. What PockDose stocks is Farxiga in 5mg and 10mg tablets, and either strength is a single tablet daily.
Can I drink alcohol with dapagliflozin?
You can drink, but keep it light. Alcohol drops blood pressure, so a heavy night can leave you dizzy or lightheaded while you are on these tablets. You can eat and drink normally with dapagliflozin — no foods need to be avoided.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the forgotten tablet once you remember if the next one is still over 12 hours off. When the next dose is nearer than that, skip the missed one and resume as usual. Two tablets together are never the answer.
Does dapagliflozin cause low blood sugar?
It can, and it is much more likely if you also take another diabetes medicine such as gliclazide. Dizziness and faintness are the signs listed for it. Used on its own, dapagliflozin rarely pushes blood sugar that low.
What is the usual dose of dapagliflozin?
Adults usually take 10mg once a day for heart failure or chronic kidney disease. In type 2 diabetes, treatment often starts at 5mg once daily and moves to 10mg if blood sugar needs more control. The tablet is swallowed whole.