Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) Uses and Dosage

What is Farxiga (Dapagliflozin)?

Stabilizing and controlling blood sugar levels has become more accessible and straightforward after the development of anti-diabetes medications. One of these medications is Farxiga. It is combined with a proper diet and regular exercise to maintain blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Farxiga is the brand name of the generic drug Dapagliflozin. This medication is also beneficial in lowering the risk for heart problems in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Farxiga does not treat type 1 diabetes.

How does it work?

Farxiga is an oral medication that functions by preventing a surge or spike in blood sugar levels. Like other hypoglycemic drugs, people who are prescribed this medication must combine it with healthy food consumption and daily exercise. It also prevents the kidneys from glucose absorption into the bloodstream

Farxiga belongs to a drug class known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, which stands for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. These inhibitors function by lowering high blood glucose levels, improving weight loss, and lessening your risk of high blood pressure or hypertension.

Using Farxiga prevents a lot of health complications. These complications include kidney damage, blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and nerve problems. With this medication, your body has fewer chances of acquiring heart-related concerns, such as heart attack or stroke. The drug lowers your risk of frequent hospitalizations due to heart failure.

Farxiga Dosage

Like other oral medications for diabetes, your prescription with Farxiga will depend on some major health factors. These factors are what your healthcare professional checks to ensure your safety with Farxiga. :

• Age and weight
• Pre-existing health concerns
• Medical history
• Other forms of medicines you are currently taking

Farxiga comes in a film-coated tablet form. Note that the dosage you will read below only involves type 2 diabetes. The safety and effectiveness of Farxiga in pediatric patients are still unknown.

The usual adult dose for type 2 diabetes:

• Take 5 mg orally once per day for the initial dose.
• The maximum dosage is 10 mg per day.

We also included the dosage for other functions Farxiga brings to the medical field. These are as follows:

The usual adult dose for heart failure:

• Take 10 mg once per day.
• This dosage reduces the risk of heart-related deaths and hospitalizations.

The usual adult dose for chronic kidney disease:

• Take 10 mg once per day.
• This dosage helps prevent a surge in kidney-related problems. It also reduces frequent hospitalization due to chronic kidney disease.

Note: Avoid adjusting your daily dosage unless your healthcare professional tells you. Do not take two or more doses per day to avoid overdosage.

Also read: Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) Side Effects

How to take it?

Take this medicine as instructed by your healthcare professional. It is a must to follow the directions inscribed on your prescription label. As you pursue your prescription strictly, your treatment can go smoothly in controlling your blood sugar.

Take Dapagliflozin with or without food. However, taking it with food is advisable to ensure you do not experience recurrent stomachaches. Drink plenty of water when taking this medicine to support proper digestion.

Avoid getting too stressed while on your treatment with Farxiga. Note that exhaustion, use of alcohol, skipping meals, and emotional distress can affect your blood sugar. These factors can also cause your Farxiga treatment to become less effective.

What happens if you skip your dose for the day? Here are ways you can follow:

• Avoid missing your doses. In case you forgot one, skip it and take the following medication. Do not take double doses.
• Set the alarm to help you remember your dosage.
• Wait until your healthcare professional advises on your dosage adjustment.

Low blood sugar is one of the significant side effects of Farxiga. It is also known as hypoglycemia that has symptoms such as dizziness, irritability, shakiness, mild to severe headache, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and increased hunger. If this occurs to you, treat it immediately by eating or drinking foods and beverages with fast-acting sugar sources.

Your healthcare professional may also prescribe you a glucagon emergency injection kit to prevent severe cases of hypoglycemia. This kit should go with your Farxiga treatment. Learn how to use this injection kit during emergencies.

Drug Interactions

Farxiga is very likely to interact with other medicines. These medicines include the drugs you currently and those you had previously. Drug interactions not only pave the way for other health complications to emerge but also make your Farxiga treatment less efficient.

Do not be afraid to discuss your previous health problems with your healthcare professional. Learn how this drug works and how it can affect your treatment with other medications.

Also read: Farxiga Vs Invokana

Warnings and Precautions

Avoid using the drug if you have/had:

• Severe kidney disease
• Ongoing dialysis
• Dehydration issues
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Allergy to Farxiga

Consider the following precautions before starting your Farxiga treatment:

• Ensure that the drug is safe for you to use by telling your healthcare professional if you have/had (1) polycystic kidney disease; (2) liver disease; (3) bladder infections; (4) problems with your pancreas; (5) alcohol addiction; (6) observing low salt diet.
• Do not use it if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not use it during the second or third trimester of your pregnancy.
• The drug is not approved for treating children under 18 years old.

Your treatment with Farxiga will only become effective if you follow your prescription label. Doing so will also prevent the development of diabetes-related complications.

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