Forxiga (Dapagliflozin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Forxiga Used For?
Forxiga contains dapagliflozin and belongs to a class of medicines called SGLT-2 inhibitors that help control blood sugar levels and protect your heart and kidneys.
Primary Uses
Forxiga is used to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It can also reduce hospitalisation for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Forxiga is used with other medicines to treat heart failure and to slow the progression of kidney disease in adults.
How It Works
Forxiga lowers your blood sugar by removing excess sugar from your body through urine. It helps protect your heart from getting weaker and improves heart failure symptoms. Unlike some diabetes medicines, Forxiga by itself is unlikely to cause dangerously low blood sugar because it doesn’t interfere with insulin.
Good to know: Forxiga by itself is unlikely to cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) because it does not interfere with the insulin hormone that regulates blood sugar.
How to Take Forxiga
Take Forxiga exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently to get the best results.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is one 10 mg tablet once a day. Take it at any time of day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Taking it at the same time each day will help you remember and work best. You should not take more than one tablet per day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your usual dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Never take more than one Forxiga tablet per day.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Irritation of the genitals caused by genital infection
- Back pain
- Headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling, rash, feeling faint)
- Low blood sugar symptoms (weakness, trembling, sweating, dizziness, rapid heartbeat)
- Dehydration (dry mouth, severe thirst, dizziness, urinating less)
- Genital infections (painful urination, soreness, swelling, unpleasant odour)
- Urinary tract infections (burning when urinating, fever, blood in urine)
- Necrotising fasciitis (pain, redness, swelling of genitals, fever, feeling unwell)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, sweet breath smell, confusion)
Important Warnings
Before taking Forxiga, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Forxiga
Do not take Forxiga if you are allergic to dapagliflozin or any ingredients in the tablet. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, hives, or feeling faint.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: type 1 diabetes, kidney/liver/pancreas problems, frequent genital or urinary tract infections, illnesses causing dehydration, diabetic ketoacidosis, high blood pressure, or if you’re taking water pills. Also mention if you’re lactose intolerant as the tablets contain lactose.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Forxiga must not be used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Forxiga, stop immediately and contact your doctor. The safety during pregnancy hasn’t been established. Forxiga should not be used while breastfeeding as it’s unknown if it passes into breast milk.
Children: Forxiga is not recommended for use in children under 18 years old as it has not been studied in this age group.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Important: Forxiga can be taken with most other medicines, but always check with your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions.
- Lithium – Forxiga can lower lithium levels in your blood
- Insulin – may increase risk of low blood sugar
- Sulfonylurea medicines (gliclazide, glimepiride, glibenclamide) – may increase risk of low blood sugar
- Water pills (diuretics) – discuss with doctor if taking for high blood pressure
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious when driving or operating machinery while taking Forxiga, especially when starting treatment.
Alcohol
The source does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Forxiga. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Although rare, Forxiga may cause dizziness in some people. Low blood sugar levels may also slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Make sure you know how you react to Forxiga before driving or doing anything that could be dangerous if you’re dizzy or lightheaded.
Storage
Keep Forxiga tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them – don’t remove them early as they won’t keep well. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 metres above ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Forxiga, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Do this right away as you may need urgent medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Forxiga works by removing excess sugar through urine. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels and may perform regular tests to check how well it’s working for you.
Yes, Forxiga tablets can be taken with or without food. Take it at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time each day for best results.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the regular time. Never take a double dose.
No, do not stop taking Forxiga without checking with your doctor first. Forxiga helps control your condition but doesn’t cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed to maintain blood sugar control.
Watch for weakness, trembling, sweating, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, lack of concentration, irritability, hunger, and numbness around lips and fingers. If you experience these, check your blood sugar and treat if low, then call your doctor.
Contact your doctor if you experience painful urination, soreness, irritation, redness, swelling of genitals, or unpleasant odour or discharge. Genital infections are a known side effect that requires medical attention.
Call immediately if you experience signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, sweet breath smell, confusion), severe dehydration, signs of serious genital infection, or if you become pregnant while taking Forxiga.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.