Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 blocker) used in type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. This guide explains farxiga dosage across conditions, with practical tips on timing, missed doses, and strength limits. It uses plain language for everyday choices, and clinical terms for clarity. Why this matters: dosing choices affect safety, kidney thresholds, and treatment goals.
Key Takeaways
- Once-daily dosing: Consistent morning use works well.
- Kidney function: Check eGFR when planning initiation.
- Indication matters: Diabetes vs heart failure dosing differs.
- Safety first: Watch for dehydration and infections.
- No double doses: Manage missed tablets carefully.
Farxiga Dosage: Core Principles and Typical Ranges
Dapagliflozin comes as film-coated tablets, commonly in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. Adults usually take it once daily, with or without food, and maintain consistent timing. For glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, clinicians often start at 5 mg once daily and may increase to 10 mg based on goals and tolerability. For heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) indications, 10 mg once daily is commonly used. Do not crush or split tablets unless a prescriber confirms appropriateness.
Regulatory labeling outlines dosing across indications, kidney function thresholds, and safety precautions. For current indications and pharmacology, see the FDA prescribing information for dapagliflozin (an official label source) FDA prescribing information. For a patient-friendly walk-through of daily use choices, see our overview of Farxiga Dosing for step-by-step context and examples.
Type 2 Diabetes: Practical Dosing and Renal Adjustment
For adults with type 2 diabetes, dapagliflozin helps lower blood glucose and modestly reduces weight. Many start with 5 mg once daily, then increase to 10 mg if additional effect is needed and tolerated. When kidney function is reduced, glucose-lowering benefit may be blunted. Clinicians weigh A1C targets, eGFR, dehydration risk, and concurrent therapies such as metformin or insulin.
Initiation and continuation depend on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Dapagliflozin may be used for cardiovascular or renal protection at lower eGFR than for glucose lowering, but it is generally not used in dialysis. Your care team may check eGFR and electrolytes before starting and after dose changes. For broader context on indications, see What Is Farxiga Used For to understand benefits beyond glucose lowering, and browse Diabetes Products to compare related therapies by formulation.
Heart Failure: Evidence-Based Dosing
Dapagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization across ejection fraction ranges. In adults with heart failure, farxiga dosage for heart failure is typically 10 mg once daily, taken consistently. This approach focuses on cardioprotective benefit rather than glycemic control. Volume status matters; clinicians often review diuretics and blood pressure trends before and after starting treatment.
Professional recommendations support SGLT2 inhibitors as part of guideline-directed medical therapy. For clinical context on SGLT2 roles, see this overview of SGLT2 Heart Failure Care for why these agents are now core therapy, and recent Dapagliflozin for Heart Failure real-world data for practical implications. For a high-level practice standard, review the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA heart failure guideline (an expert consensus resource) heart failure guideline.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Dosing and Thresholds
Dapagliflozin helps slow CKD progression and reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with and without diabetes. The common regimen is 10 mg once daily for kidney protection, with attention to eGFR thresholds on initiation. While glycemic effects diminish at lower eGFR, renal-protective benefits may persist down to label-specified limits. In dialysis, it is generally not used.
Hydration, sick-day management, and monitoring for urinary or genital infections matter in CKD. Clinicians may assess albuminuria, serum potassium, and blood pressure during follow-up, adjusting concurrent therapies as needed. For a plain-language overview of kidney outcomes, see our guide on Improving Kidney Health to understand how SGLT2s fit with ACEi/ARB or finerenone; for complementary CKD therapy information, see Kerendia as an example of an MR antagonist used in albuminuric CKD. The labeled farxiga dose for kidney disease centers on 10 mg daily for renal protection.
Administration, Missed Doses, and Daily Schedule
Consistency supports steady effect. Pick a daily time you can maintain, such as morning with other chronic medications. Swallow tablets whole with water. If you experience illness with dehydration risk, your care team may advise a temporary pause; this is often called a “sick day” plan and helps reduce complications.
Here is what happens if i miss a dose of farxiga: if it is the same day and not close to the next dose, take it when remembered. If it is near the next dose, skip the missed tablet and continue the regular schedule. Do not double up. For available strengths and common packaging, check Farxiga Dapagliflozin to confirm tablet options used in practice.
Safety Profile and Adverse Reactions
Common effects include genital yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and increased urination. Volume depletion may cause dizziness or low blood pressure, especially in older adults or those on loop diuretics. Rare but serious risks include ketoacidosis (even with normal glucose), urosepsis/pyelonephritis, and necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum. Recognizing early warning signs and seeking prompt evaluation can reduce harm.
Review safety sections in official labeling for updated warnings and monitoring suggestions; see the FDA label (a primary regulatory source) FDA prescribing information. For a patient-friendly overview of farxiga side effects, see Farxiga Side Effects to learn patterns, early symptoms, and when to contact your team.
Use Cases, Combinations, and Special Questions
Dapagliflozin is used in adults for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, and for reducing cardiovascular and renal risk. These farxiga uses differ by indication, so goals and monitoring vary. Many patients combine dapagliflozin with metformin, GLP‑1 receptor agonists, or insulin, depending on A1C targets and comorbidities. Your clinician may prioritize agents that address kidney health, weight, or heart failure risk.
Fixed-dose combinations simplify regimens. For dapagliflozin plus metformin, see Synjardy and the broader Xigduo Uses Dosage review to understand combination benefits and safety. For metformin plus canagliflozin, compare Invokamet to see how another SGLT2 pairing works. You can also explore the Invokana Drug Class and Jardiance Drug Class pages for class-level context and differences in practice.
Weight Changes and Drug Duration
Modest weight reduction can occur with dapagliflozin due to urinary glucose excretion. The pace varies; changes emerge over weeks to months and depend on diet, activity, and concurrent therapies. Many people see small, steady shifts rather than rapid losses. Monitoring weight alongside hydration status helps distinguish fluid shifts from true body fat changes.
Regarding pharmacokinetics, how long does farxiga stay in your system depends on half-life and renal function. Dapagliflozin has a roughly half-day elimination time, supporting daily dosing. Drug effects on glucose excretion extend beyond plasma half-life due to transporter inhibition. Clinicians consider stability of kidney function and other medications when interpreting duration and timing.
Maximum Dose and Strength Questions
People often ask, what is the maximum dose of farxiga. The labeled maximum is 10 mg once daily for adults. Higher daily amounts are not recommended, because increasing the dose above this limit does not improve outcomes and may increase adverse effects. Taking it more than once daily is not typical for labeled uses.
Tablet strengths commonly available are 5 mg and 10 mg. If glycemic goals are met at 5 mg with good tolerability, some remain at that dose; others may move to 10 mg based on need. There is no approved 20 mg tablet. For details on strengths and pack sizes, see Dapagliflozin to review how products are supplied and referenced in practice.
Recap
Dapagliflozin supports metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal goals with once-daily dosing. Indication and kidney function guide where to start and whether to adjust. Most adults use 10 mg daily for heart failure or CKD protection, while some begin at 5 mg for glucose lowering and increase if needed. Hydration, infection awareness, and sick-day planning support safe use.
Use consistent timing, avoid doubling doses, and keep your clinical team informed about new symptoms or illnesses. If kidney function changes, your prescriber may retest labs and reassess benefits. For deeper topic dives, see our condition-specific guides linked above; they connect dosing choices with real-world scenarios and monitoring steps.
Note: Always confirm indications, renal thresholds, and safety considerations using the most recent official labeling and your clinician’s guidance.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
