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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1- To maintain blood sugar level in type-2 diabetes patients 2- To treat cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes |
| Common Side Effects | 1- Allergy Anxiety Bladder pain Bloody or cloudy urine Blurred vision Chills Cold sweats Confusion Cool, pale skin Decreased frequency or amount of urine Depression |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Dapagliflozin Summary
Dapagliflozin 5 mg is an oral SGLT2 inhibitor used to manage type 2 diabetes and reduce heart-related risks in diabetic patients. It helps remove excess sugar through urine and is usually taken once daily. Common side effects include dizziness, increased urination, and genital infections. Seek medical help immediately if an overdose occurs.
Dapagliflozin Uses
Dapagliflozin 5 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor medicines. It is used for following indications:
- Type-2 diabetes mellitus
- Cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes
Directions for use
- Take dapagliflozin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking dapagliflozin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
How Dapagliflozin works
Dapagliflozin works by stopping your kidneys from taking back too much sugar. Instead, the sugar leaves your body through your pee. This helps keep your blood sugar lower if you have diabetes. It might also help you lose a little weight by removing extra sugar.
Dapagliflozin side effects
More Common
- Anxiety
- Bladder pain
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Cool, pale skin
- Decreased frequency or amount of urine
- Depression
- Difficult, burning, or painful urination
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Headache
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Itching of the vagina or genitals
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of consciousness
- Lower back or side pain
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Seizures
- Shakiness
- Slurred speech
- Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- Thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
Less Common
- Foul smelling discharge from the penis
- Pain in the skin around the penis
- Rash of the penis
- Redness, itching, or swelling of the penis
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 1- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
If you have a pre-existing UTI, inform your doctor, as this medicine can increase the risk of developing a UTI.
📌 2- Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor.
Dapagliflozin Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name-
(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-[4-Chloro-3-(4-ethoxybenzyl)phenyl]-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol
Dapagliflozin Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking dapagliflozin 5 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Dapagliflozin Interaction with Food Product
Dapagliflozin does not interact with any food products, but alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the medicine, as it can increase or decrease the effect of dapagliflozin.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily dose
Take dapagliflozin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
Overdosing symptoms include hypoglycemia, dizziness, confusion and low blood pressure. If you know someone who takes this medicine and has these symptoms rush them to hospital immediately.
Dietary and Lifestyle Management
Diabetes cannot be cured permanently, but with a healthy lifestyle and exercise, it can be managed easily. Diabetic patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar level before and after meals. Following are the natural ways to manage blood sugar levels:
Food
Eating healthy is important for managing diabetes. Carbohydrates have a huge impact on our blood sugar level, as they break into sugar (glucose), which is poison for diabetic patients as they already have elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is essential for a diabetic patient to count the amount of carbohydrates he is taking.
Do Exercise
Exercise plays an important role in managing diabetes. When our body moves and gets active, the muscles use blood sugar for energy, resulting in a low amount of sugar in our bloodstream. Adults are advised to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
Medicine
Take your medicine on time, as it is designed to lower blood sugar levels.
Avoid Alcohol
Consumptions of alcohol while on therapy with metformin increase the risk of lactic acidosis, that is, lactic acid increases in the bloodstream. Lactic acid can cause symptoms like muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, and weakness. Alcohol also decreases the level of blood sugar. It is generally recommended to avoid alcohol while on dapagliflozin.
FAQ’s
1. Dapagliflozin belongs to which class of drug?
➡️ Dapagliflozin belongs to a class of medicines called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It is used to help manage blood sugar levels.
2. When should dapagliflozin be taken?
➡️ You can take dapagliflozin at any time of the day when you remember, but make sure to take it at the same time on the following day.
3. Is dapagliflozin safe for kidneys?
➡️ Dapagliflozin is considered safe for the kidneys. It is also used for treating kidney disease, regardless of whether the person has diabetes or not.
4. What is dapagliflozin 10 mg used for?
➡️ Dapagliflozin 10 mg is used to maintain blood sugar level in people with type 2 diabetes and to treat cardiovascular disease in patient with diabetes
Reference
- NHS. Dapagliflozin: how and when to take it [Internet]. London: NHS; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 5]. Available from.
- Chertow GM, Correa‐Rotter R, Vart P, Jongs N, McMurray JJ, Rossing P, Langkilde AM, Sjöström CD, Toto RD, Wheeler DC, Heerspink HJ. Effects of Dapagliflozin in Chronic Kidney Disease, With and Without Other Cardiovascular Medications: DAPA‐CKD Trial. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2023 May 2;12(9):e028739. Available from.
- Cada DJ, Levien TL, Baker DE. Dapagliflozin. Hosp Pharm. 2014 Jul;49(7):647-62. doi: 10.1310/hpj4907-647. PMID: 25477585; PMCID: PMC4252236. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Dapagliflozin (Oral Route) – Description and Brand Names [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2024 [cited 2025 Apr 5]. Available from.
- Wishart DS, Feunang YD, Guo AC, Lo EJ, Marcu A, Grant JR, et al. DrugBank 5.0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018. Nucleic Acids Res. 2018 Jan 4;46(D1):D1074–D1082. Available from.