Farxiga® (dapagliflozin) is an oral medication prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and/or chronic kidney disease.
Farxiga
*image for illustrative purpose only
Farxiga
*image for illustrative purpose only
Farxiga® (dapagliflozin) is an oral medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). For people with diabetes, it’s typically prescribed alongside diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar.
Farxiga is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that works by reducing the amount of glucose (sugar) the kidneys release back into the bloodstream. Instead, the glucose is excreted through the urine, which helps lower blood sugar levels.
Large clinical trials have demonstrated Farxiga’s heart and kidney benefits, including reducing hospitalization for heart failure and slowing CKD progression, regardless of diabetes status.
While it is not classified as a weight-loss medication, Farxiga may contribute to weight reduction as a secondary benefit in some people.
Side effects may include yeast infections, urinary tract infections, increased urination, and/or back pain.
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is indicated:
To reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression
To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure
To reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and either established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors
As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor
Most common adverse reactions (5% or greater incidence) were:
Female genital fungal infections
Inflammation of the nasal cavities and back of the throat
Urinary tract infections
The cost of Farxiga varies depending on factors such as insurance coverage and where you buy it.
Without insurance, Farxiga costs about $600 per month. Through the AstraZeneca Prescription Savings Program, eligible people without health insurance may be able to get the medication at no cost.
Insurance may cover all or some of the cost of this medication. People with employer-backed or private health insurance typically pay about $25 per month, although eligible people may pay as little as $0 per month with the Farxiga Savings Card. For people with Medicare, the average out-of-pocket cost is about $40 per month.
History of serious hypersensitivity reaction to dapagliflozin or any of the excipients in Farxiga
See the Full Prescribing Information for information on drug interactions and interference of Farxiga with laboratory tests
Diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and other ketoacidosis
Volume depletion
Urosepsis and pyelonephritis
Low blood sugar
Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s gangrene)
Genital fungal infections
Pregnancy: Potential risk to a fetus especially during the second and third trimesters
Lactation: Not recommended when breastfeeding
No. Farxiga and Jardiance are both SGLT2 inhibitors used to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, but they are different drugs. Farxiga’s active ingredient is dapagliflozin, while Jardiance’s is empagliflozin. They work similarly in the body but come with slightly different contraindications and side effects.
No, Farxiga is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. However, it may cause a slight reduction in weight as a secondary benefit. Clinical studies have shown an average weight loss of approximately 2 to 3 kilograms (4.5 to 6.5 pounds) in individuals taking this medication, particularly when combined with lifestyle interventions and/or other antidiabetic agents.
One side effect of Farxiga is a change in urination, including the need to pee more often, in larger amounts, or at night.
There are no specific foods to avoid while taking this medication, but your provider may advise you to limit foods with added sugar, such as desserts and sweetened drinks.
*This information is from the label for brand name Farxiga®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
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US Food & Drug Administration. (2023). Jardiance drug label. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/204629s042lbl.pdf