Photo from indiamart.com
Dapagliflozin is used to lower blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes (condition in which blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally) in conjunction with diet and exercise, as well as other drugs . It is also used to lower the chance of needing to be hospitalized for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes, heart and blood vessel disease, or several factors that increase the likelihood of having heart and blood vessel disease.
Dapagliflozin is also used in adults with heart failure to lower the risk of hospitalization and mortality from heart and blood vessel disease. It is also used in individuals with kidney disease to lower the risk of worsening the kidney disease, the requirement for hospitalization for heart failure, and the risk of death due to heart disease. Dapagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It reduces blood sugar levels by forcing the kidneys to excrete more glucose in the urine. Dapagliflozin is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (a disease in which the body does not create insulin and hence cannot control the quantity of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that can develop if high blood sugar is not treated).
Diabetes and high blood sugar levels can lead to serious or life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney difficulties, nerve damage, and vision problems over time. Taking dapagliflozin, making lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and quitting smoking), and monitoring your blood sugar on a regular basis may help you manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related issues like as renal failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; impaired sexual capacity in both men and women), eyesight issues such as changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare specialists will discuss the best method to manage your diabetes with you.
HOW SHOULD THIS MEDICATION BE TAKEN?
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE BEFORE USING DAPAGLIFLOZIN?
- If you are allergic to dapagliflozin, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in dapagliflozin tablets, notify your doctor and pharmacist. For a list of the ingredients, consult your pharmacist or the Medication Guide.
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any other prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use.
- Inform your doctor if you are undergoing dialysis. You may be advised by your doctor not to take dapagliflozin.
- Inform your doctor if you routinely consume alcohol or occasionally consume significant amounts of alcohol in a short period of time (binge drinking), or if you are on a low sodium diet. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, pancreatic disease, including pancreatitis (pancreatic swelling), or if you have had pancreatic surgery, urinary tract infections or problems urinating, low blood pressure, yeast infections in the genital area, kidney or liver disease. If you are a man, notify your doctor if you have never had your cervix circumcised. Also, notify your doctor if you are eating less due to illness, surgery, or a change in your diet, or if you have recently had diarrhea, vomiting, not been drinking enough fluids, been in the sun for too long, or have been sweating excessively, all of which can lead to dehydration (loss of a large amount of body fluids).
- If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are nursing, tell your doctor. You should not breastfeed while using dapagliflozin. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking dapagliflozin.
- When you rise up too rapidly from a laying position, dapagliflozin might induce dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Call your doctor if you have this condition. This is more likely when you initially begin taking dapagliflozin. To avoid this issue, slowly get out of bed, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before getting up.
- Consult your doctor if you become ill, develop an infection or fever, suffer unusual stress, or are harmed. These disorders can have an impact on your blood sugar and the amount of dapagliflozin you require.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking dapagliflozin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery. Your doctor would most likely advise you to stop taking dapagliflozin at least three days before surgery.
- Blood sugar levels may fluctuate as a result of alcohol use. Consult your doctor about the safe consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking dapagliflozin.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF DAPAGLIFLOZIN?
- urinating frequently, including during night
- an increase in thirst
- Urination that is frequent, urgent, stinging, or painful
- hazy, red, pink, or brown urine
- urine with a strong odor
- decrease in the amount of urine
- pelvic or rectal discomfort
- (in women) vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (which may be lumpy or resemble cottage cheese), or vaginal irritation
- (in males) penile redness, itching, or swelling; penile rash; foul-smelling discharge from the penis; or pain in the area around the penis
- feeling weary, weak, or uncomfortable, as well as having a temperature and experiencing discomfort, soreness, redness, and swelling in the genitals or the area between the genitals and the rectum
- Leg or foot swelling
- rash
- hives
- itching
- breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Face, throat, tongue, lips, mouth, or eyes swelling
- hoarseness
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain in the stomach
- tiredness
- breathing difficulties