Farxiga

Farxiga is part of a class of medications called oral anti-diabetics. It is indicated for blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this condition, it’s either you don’t have enough insulin or your body is unable to properly use the insulin in your system. It works by preventing sugar absorption. It should not be used in type 1 diabetics.

Dapagliflozin is usually prescribed to patients who are intolerant to other anti-diabetic medicines. It is also given to those whose diabetes cannot be controlled by medication, diet and exercise. You can purchase dapagliflozin only with a prescription. You can buy it as a tablet.

Before using Farxiga, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

• Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
• Pediatric - Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dapagliflozin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
• Geriatric - Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dapagliflozin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, kidney problems, low blood pressure), which may require caution.
• Pregnancy - Information about this dapagliflozin-oral-route Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters C. Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
• Breastfeeding - There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
• Drug Interactions - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below.

The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Balofloxacin
• Besifloxacin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Enoxacin
• Fleroxacin
• Flumequine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Lanreotide
• Levofloxacin
• Lomefloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Nadifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Octreotide
• Ofloxacin
• Pasireotide
• Pazufloxacin
• Pefloxacin
• Prulifloxacin
• Rufloxacin
• Sparfloxacin
• Tosufloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Esmolol
• Furazolidone
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Linezolid
• Methylene Blue
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Moclobemide
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Nialamide
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Phenelzine
• Pindolol
• Practolol
• Procarbazine
• Propranolol
• Rasagiline
• Safinamide
• Selegiline
• Sotalol
• Timolol
• Tranylcypromine

Other Interactions - Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse, history of
• Pancreatic insulin deficiency, history of

May increase risk for more serious side effects.

• Dehydration or Bladder cancer, history of
• Dyslipidemia (high fats or cholesterol in the blood)
• Genital yeast (fungus) infections (eg, balanitis, balanoposthitis, vulvovaginitis), history of
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Ketoacidosis (high ketones and acid in the blood)
• Kidney disease or Pancreas problems (eg, pancreatitis)
• Urinary tract infection, history of

Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Diabetic ketoacidosis (high ketones and acid in the blood) or Kidney disease, severe or Patients receiving dialysis or Type I diabetes. Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

a.       Before using DRUG, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

To use Farxiga correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Do not change the dose, timing or duration without consulting your physician first. He/she will also prescribe a certain diet which you should always follow. You should also exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor if you have any clarifications. Dapagliflozin can be taken with or without food.

The dosing and timing of this medicine depend on your condition. It is different for everyone. That’s why it’s very important to follow instructions. Normally, adult type 2 diabetics are initially prescribed 5 mg once daily. The dose can be adjusted depending on your needs. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible.

However, you should skip it entirely if it’s almost time for the next one. You should never double dose. Store your dapagliflozin in a sealed container at room temperature. Put it somewhere children cannot easily access and throw away medications that have expired.

In using Farxiga, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

You should go to your appointments regularly so that your physician can monitor your condition and make sure the medication is working. Regular laboratory exams may also be needed. There are also several precautions you need to take. Dapagliflozin can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting especially if you have kidney problems and hypotension. This may be due to fluid loss, so keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of water. You can also develop ketoacidosis when taking this medicine.

If you start experiencing nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, increased thirst or urination, or stomach pain, get medical attention right away. Dapagliflozin can also increase your risk of getting urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Check with your doctor if you have bloody or cloudy urine, bladder pain, or lower back pain.

For women you have a history of vaginal yeast infections, consult your physician if you have vaginal discharge, odor or itching. Uncircumcised men are more at risk for yeast infection and should check with their doctors if they have odorous penile discharge or pain around the penis. You should also watch out for hypoglycemia. Symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Cool, Pale skin
• Drowsiness, cold sweats
• Difficulty with thinking
• Shakiness
• Slurred speech, excessive hunger, a fast heartbeat, headaches that continue, nausea
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Ask your healthcare provider how to remedy low blood sugar. On the flip side, missing a dose or overeating can also cause hyperglycemia with the following symptoms:

• Flushed and Dry skin
• Fruit-like breath odor, dry mouth
• Ketones in the urine, increased frequency and amount of urination
• Nausea or Vomiting, loss of appetite
• Tiredness, Rapid and Deep breathing
• Unusual thirst

Call your doctor for treatment instructions. Also, consult him or her if you have bladder pain or blood in the urine.

There are several side effects associated with Farxiga use but you may not experience all of them. If you have any of the following, check with your physician right away:

• Anxiety
• Bladder pain
• Chills
• Confusion
• Decreased frequency or amount of urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Itching of the vagina or genitals
• Loss of appetite
• Nightmares
• Slurred speech, difficulty breathing
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Weight gain

Other side effects that may not need treatment include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Pain in the arms or legs

See your doctor immediately if your condition worsens.