What Is Farxiga Used For?

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an oral medication in the class of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It helps your kidneys remove excess glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream through your urine. Since its approval, Farxiga has become an important treatment option for several conditions beyond type 2 diabetes.

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Primary Uses of Farxiga

1. Type 2 Diabetes
   • Lowers blood sugar by preventing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys
   • Often prescribed when diet, exercise, and other diabetes pills don’t achieve adequate control
   • May be used alone or combined with metformin, insulin, or other antidiabetic drugs

2. Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
   • Supported by the DAPA-HF trial (McMurray & Solomon, 2019): Farxiga reduced the risk of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death in patients with ejection fraction below 40%
   • Benefits seen regardless of whether patients had diabetes
   • Improves symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling (edema)

3. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
   • Backed by the DAPA-CKD trial (Heerspink & Correa-Rotter, 2020): Farxiga slowed kidney function decline and reduced the risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular death, or hospitalization for heart failure
   • Effective in patients with or without diabetes
   • Can delay the need for dialysis or transplant

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How Farxiga Works

• SGLT2 inhibitors block the protein in kidney tubules responsible for reabsorbing glucose back into the bloodstream
• Excess glucose spills into the urine, lowering blood sugar
• The osmotic effect of glucose in the urine pulls water along, which can modestly reduce blood pressure and fluid overload

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Key Benefits

• Blood Sugar Control: Lowers HbA1c by approximately 0.5–1.0% in type 2 diabetes
• Heart Protection: Reduces hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death in HFrEF
• Kidney Protection: Slows CKD progression, decreasing risk of dialysis, transplant, or kidney-related mortality
• Weight Loss: Modest weight reduction (2–3 kg on average) due to calorie loss in urine
• Blood Pressure Reduction: Systolic blood pressure drop of 3–5 mm Hg on average

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Who May Benefit Most

• Adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels remain high despite standard therapy
• Patients with heart failure (reduced ejection fraction), regardless of diabetes status
• People with chronic kidney disease at risk for progression to kidney failure
• Individuals who could use mild weight loss and blood pressure reduction alongside glucose control

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Possible Side Effects

Farxiga is generally well tolerated, but like all medicines it has risks. Common side effects include:

• Genital mycotic infections (yeast infections) in both men and women—keep good hygiene, and inform your doctor if you notice itching, redness, or unusual discharge
• Urinary tract infections—drink plenty of water and report burning or frequent urination
• Increased urination—expect more trips to the bathroom as excess glucose and water are excreted
• Dehydration—monitor for dizziness or lightheadedness, especially if you take diuretics or blood pressure pills
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)—common in those already on multiple blood pressure–lowering drugs

Serious but rare side effects:

• Ketoacidosis (high blood ketones)—may occur even if blood sugar is not extremely high; report nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or breathing changes immediately
• Acute kidney injury—stay hydrated and tell your doctor if you develop persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Serious urinary tract infections—flank pain, fever, or fatigue warrant urgent evaluation

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Who Should Not Take Farxiga

• Patients with type 1 diabetes (risk of ketoacidosis)
• Those with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis
• Severe kidney impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²) or on dialysis
• People allergic to dapagliflozin or any ingredient in Farxiga

Discuss your full medical history with your doctor before starting Farxiga—this includes any liver disease, infections, low blood pressure, or conditions that make you prone to dehydration.

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Monitoring and Follow-Up

Once you start Farxiga, your healthcare provider will likely:

• Check kidney function (eGFR) and electrolytes
• Monitor blood pressure and signs of dehydration
• Evaluate blood sugar (HbA1c) every 3–6 months
• Watch for urinary or genital infections

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When to Seek Medical Advice

If you experience any of the following, contact your doctor immediately:

• Severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting (possible ketoacidosis)
• Signs of serious urinary infections (fever, flank pain)
• Fainting, confusion, or extreme thirst
• Rapid heartbeat or chest pain

If you have any concerning symptoms, you might consider doing a free, online “symptom check for ” at UbieHealth.com before you call your doctor to gather your thoughts and provide detailed information during your visit.

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Final Thoughts

Farxiga offers proven benefits for blood sugar control, heart failure, and kidney protection. It is not a cure, but it can significantly reduce complications and improve quality of life when used correctly. Always take Farxiga exactly as prescribed, and continue lifestyle measures like healthy eating, regular exercise, and adherence to other medications.

Speak to a doctor about whether Farxiga is right for you, especially if you have any conditions that could become life threatening or serious. Your healthcare provider can tailor treatment to your individual needs and ensure safe, effective use of this medication.