Dapagliflozin
About
Dapagliflozin belongs to the category of medicines called 'anti-diabetic' primarily used for the management and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that occurs when there is either less insulin or available insulin is not properly utilized by our body cells for lowering raised blood glucose. It is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for around 90% of total diabetes cases found commonly in middle-aged people. So it is also called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Dapagliflozin contains 'Dapagliflozin' a protein found in kidney known as sodium-glucose cotransporters-2 (SGLT-2 inhibitor) that works by inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the body, resulting in an increase in glucose excretion through urine. The removal of excessive glucose helps to lower down the blood sugar level.
Take Dapagliflozin as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend you how often you take Dapagliflozin based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience urinary tract infection, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), peeing more than normal, skin rash, dizziness, increased thirst, Nausea. Most of these side effects of Dapagliflozin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you are hypersensitive to any of the components present in these medicines, please tell your doctor before taking it. Dapagliflozin is not allowed to use in children below 18 years of age. If you are a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant, then tell your doctor before they prescribe this medicine to you. Dapagliflozin, when used with diuretics, may increase the risk of dehydration, kidney problems and lower blood pressure. Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medication. Do not take or stop Dapagliflozin if the doctor did not advise you to do so. Limit your alcohol consumption with Dapagliflozin as alcohol may cause a rapid increase or decrease in blood sugar levels.
Uses of Dapagliflozin
Medicinal Benefits
Dapagliflozin belongs to the anti-diabetic drug category, indicated in the treatment of type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). This medicine is primarily prescribed to persons whose blood sugar levels are high and not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Dapagliflozin consists of “Dapagliflozin” a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor responsible for inhibiting SGLT-2 enzymes in the kidney. Thus, it prevents the reabsorption of glucose from the blood filtered through your kidney, thereby increasing the glucose excretion from your body when you urinate.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dapagliflozin
- Urinary tract infection
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- Frequent urination
- Skin rash
- Dizziness
- Increased thirst
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Dapagliflozin and other medicines, have severe kidney disease, high ketone levels in blood or urine, heart disease, congestive heart failure, liver disease or you are using insulin or other oral diabetes medications. Dapagliflozin, when used with other diabetes medications, may extremely lower the blood sugar level leading to hypoglycemia condition, which can be fatal. Your doctor may adjust the dose by lowering the dose of other diabetes medicine or Dapagliflozin in this case. A person should keep taking Dapagliflozin even if they are feeling that their blood sugar levels are under control as it may again spike the level of sugar in the blood. You should take small frequent meals and don't fast while being treated with Dapagliflozin. Try to notice if you are developing the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) like sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, frequent urination. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, then immediately take honey/sugar candies and consult with a physician.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Dapagliflozin interacts with diuretics (furosemide, amiloride, hydrochlorothiazide), muscle relaxant (baclofen), medicine for enlarged prostate (tamsulosin), antiparkinson's (levodopa), antibiotics (gatifloxacin), heart-related medicines (amlodipine, bisoprolol) and other antidiabetic drugs (glipizide, glimepiride).
Drug- Food Interaction: Dapagliflozin may interact with household sugar and cause abdominal discomfort and stomach upset. Therefore one should avoid consuming foods rich in sugar. Additionally, avoid alcohol consumption while taking Dapagliflozin as it may spike the levels of sugar in blood or cause low blood sugar levels.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People affected with heart diseases (like congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction), have sugar (glucose) and ketones (a type of chemical) in your pee, severe kidney or liver disease, often get urinary tract infection and alcoholism should avoid intake of Dapagliflozin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou should avoid consuming alcohol with Dapagliflozin as it may lead to high or low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionDapagliflozin is a Category C pregnancy drug that is not recommended for pregnant women or given only under strict guidance of the doctor as there is no clinical data available on use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no sufficient data on how Dapagliflozin affects breastfeeding. It is safe to seek medical advice before you start Dapagliflozin if you are lactating.
Driving
cautionDrive only if you are physically stable and mentally focused, if you experience drowsiness after taking these medications, you should not drive or operate any machinery or vehicles.
Liver
cautionTake Dapagliflozin only after the doctor's prescription, especially if you are dealing with Liver diseases/conditions as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Dapagliflozin after the recommendation of a doctor, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dosing strength needs to be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeThe use of Dapagliflozin is not recommended for children below 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins and a quarter with whole grain.
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between a meal or snack.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are lots of fluctuations.
- Invest at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates containing whole-grain foods and increase the intake of fruits and veggies and other fiber-enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits and samosas. Choose omega 3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. You can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil and safflower oil for frying.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You can adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness to control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, and cheese, etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (120/80) as possible as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
Special Advise
- You should have a test of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) every 3 months to check your blood glucose level control.
- Drink plenty of fluids as use of Dapagliflozin may cause dehydration.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic or life-long condition in which cells of the body fail to respond to insulin and in later stages, the body even fails to produce enough amount of insulin. It comprises around 90% of total diabetes cases. This condition makes the body rely on different energy sources in muscles, tissues and organs. This disease develops gradually, and the early symptoms include constant hunger, lack of energy, fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, itchy skin and blurry vision. Persons who are middle-aged or older are most possibly have type 2 diabetes, so it is also called adult-onset diabetes. The risks of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes include damaged retina of eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, nerve problems, kidney problems, sexual dysfunction and increase the possibility of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Dapagliflozin is a type of medicine known as a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels by blocking the action of SGLT-2 in the kidney and remove excess sugar from your body through urine.
In case you feel that your blood sugar level is going down and you are feeling weak, immediately eat sugar candies or drink sugary beverages. It will help to balance the blood sugar level in your body. So, it is advisable to keep sugar candies with you.
Dapagliflozin can cause weight loss by increasing the amount of sugar that is removed from your body when you pee. Consult your doctor before starting Dapagliflozin.
No, a person should continue taking Dapagliflozin as much a doctor has prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. You should not stop discontinuing Dapagliflozin suddenly as it may worsen the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and increase the blood sugar level leading to hyperglycemia.
Type 2 diabetes is a common form of diabetes in which the blood sugar-lowering hormone called insulin produced by the body does not function properly. Thus, the blood glucose level increases and symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger start. Diabetes, if left untreated or not treated properly, can cause long-term complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot problems and poses a high risk of developing heart diseases.
Dapagliflozin can cause risk in pregnancy and affect the fetus. Please consult your doctor before starting Dapagliflozin.
Your driving ability may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience dizziness or drowsiness.
Yes, using Dapagliflozin may cause urinary track infections in few people, so always practice good hygiene.
