Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is prescribed for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, and other conditions. It comes as an oral tablet, and it’s taken once per day.

Specifically, Farxiga’s approved uses in adults include:

Your doctor may prescribe Farxiga for these uses in certain situations. But there are certain cases in which Farxiga should not be taken to treat some of these conditions. To learn more about the specific uses of this drug, see the “What is Farxiga used for?” section below.

Farxiga basics

Farxiga contains the active drug dapagliflozin. It belongs to a group of drugs called sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors.

There are no generic forms of Farxiga available at this time.

Read on to learn more about Farxiga, including its side effects, cost, dosage, and more.

Like most drugs, Farxiga may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the side effects that Farxiga may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Farxiga. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Below is a list of some of the more common mild side effects that Farxiga can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Farxiga’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Farxiga that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Farxiga can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Farxiga, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Farxiga that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Farxiga may cause. You can also refer to this detailed article about Farxiga’s side effects.

Yeast infection

You may have an increased risk of getting genital yeast infections while taking Farxiga. The medication increases the amount of sugar in your urine. This can lead to an overgrowth of yeast in your genital area.

Genital yeast infections are one of Farxiga’s most common side effects.

Symptoms of genital yeast infections in females* may include:

  • thick, white, vaginal discharge, which usually doesn’t have a smell
  • irritation, burning, itching, or soreness in and around the vagina
  • burning, stinging, or soreness during sex or urination

Symptoms of genital yeast infections in males* can include:

  • thick, white discharge from the penis
  • discoloration, irritation, and burning around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
  • trouble pulling back the foreskin
  • an unpleasant smell from the penis

With Farxiga treatment, genital yeast infections are more common in females than in males. You’re more likely to get a genital yeast infection with Farxiga if you’ve had one in the past.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

To help prevent genital yeast infections while you’re taking Farxiga, it may help to:

  • wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or silk
  • avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear, pants, tights, or leggings
  • eat yogurt or take supplements with lactobacillus

If you have symptoms of a genital yeast infection, contact your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend a suitable treatment.

Over-the-counter treatments include:

  • clotrimazole cream
  • clotrimazole vaginal cream (Trivagizole)
  • miconazole cream or vaginal suppositories (Monistat)

Prescription treatments include:

  • butoconazole vaginal cream (Gynazole-1)
  • fluconazole tablet (Diflucan)
  • terconazole cream or vaginal suppositories

If your symptoms haven’t cleared up after a week, contact your doctor. You may need a different medication. If you frequently get yeast infections, talk with your doctor about taking medication to help prevent them.

Constipation

You may have constipation while taking Farxiga. This is because the medication increases urination, so your body pulls more water from your bowels to make up for the fluid loss. This can cause your stools to become drier, harder, and more difficult to pass.

While constipation is possible with Farxiga, it wasn’t common in the drug’s clinical studies.

Symptoms of constipation include:

What might help

To help prevent and treat constipation while taking Farxiga:

  • drink plenty of water, which can also help prevent other side effects of Farxiga, such as:
  • eat plenty of fiber
  • get frequent exercise

If you have constipation that’s not helped by these methods, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend using an over-the-counter laxative. Examples include:

If you have constipation that lasts longer than 2 weeks, contact your doctor.

Dehydration, which can cause low blood pressure and kidney damage

Farxiga causes you to lose more sodium and water in your urine than usual. This can sometimes lead to dehydration, a condition in which your body loses too much fluid.

Dehydration can cause low blood pressure. It can also damage your kidneys and lead to acute (sudden) kidney failure. These side effects are rare with Farxiga.

Symptoms of low blood pressure can include feeling lightheaded or dizzy. This includes dizziness when you get up from sitting or lying down.

Symptoms of acute kidney failure can include:

You may have a higher risk of dehydration, low blood pressure, and kidney damage if you:

What might help

To help avoid these problems with Farxiga, it’s important to drink plenty of water. This is especially the case in hot weather, when exercising, or if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Talk with your doctor about how much water you should be drinking.

Tell your doctor right away if:

  • you have vomiting or diarrhea, because you may be losing more fluid than usual
  • you’re drinking less than usual (due to illness or fasting, for example)
  • you have symptoms of low blood pressure or kidney failure

Your doctor can recommend what to do in these situations.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Farxiga. But allergic reactions were rare in studies of the drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Farxiga. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Farxiga manufacturer’s website to see if it has support options. This website also provides estimates of cost with Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or no insurance.

For further details about Farxiga’s cost, you can see this in-depth article.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Farxiga that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Farxiga comes as a tablet that you swallow. Two strengths are available: 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg.

Recommended dosages

You’ll take Farxiga once daily. Your doctor will recommend the daily dose that’s right for you. They’ll also tell you the drug’s maximum dose.

Questions about Farxiga’s dosage

Below are answers to some common questions about Farxiga’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Farxiga? If you miss a dose of Farxiga, take it as soon as possible. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose as usual. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could cause side effects.
  • Will I need to take Farxiga long term? Yes. If Farxiga works for you without causing troublesome side effects, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • How long does Farxiga take to work? Farxiga starts working when you take your first dose. But it might take a few weeks for your blood sugar level to improve. It’s not known how long it takes for Farxiga to help lower the risk of complications from heart failure or kidney disease.

You can also see this in-depth article about Farxiga’s dosage for more information.

If you have type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease, your doctor may recommend Farxiga. The drug is prescribed for different purposes in adults with these conditions.

Farxiga improves blood sugar levels by helping your body get rid of excess sugar in your urine. It lowers the risk of complications from heart failure and kidney disease by helping your body get rid of excess sodium and fluid. This lowers your blood pressure and helps reduce the strain on your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.

Use in people with type 2 diabetes

In people with type 2 diabetes, Farxiga is taken to help:

Use in people with heart failure

In people with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction*, Farxiga is taken to reduce the risk of:

  • hospitalization for heart failure
  • death from a cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problem, such as:
    • heart failure

* With a reduced ejection fraction, your heart isn’t able to pump out as much blood to the rest of your body as usual.

Use in people with kidney disease

In people with chronic (long-term) kidney disease at risk of getting worse, Farxiga is taken to reduce the risk of:

  • worsening kidney function and end-stage kidney disease
  • hospitalization for heart failure
  • death from a cardiovascular problem, such as:
    • heart failure
    • heart attack
    • stroke
    • blood clot

Situations in which Farxiga shouldn’t be used

Farxiga should not be taken for:

Your doctor will explain how you should take Farxiga. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Farxiga

You should take Farxiga once per day.

This medication can increase urination. So it’s generally best to take it in the morning to help avoid disturbing your sleep.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Farxiga in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Taking Farxiga with other drugs

If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll likely take Farxiga with one or more other diabetes medications. These will also help to lower your blood sugar level.

If you have heart failure or kidney disease, you’ll likely take Farxiga with other medications. These will help to reduce the symptoms of your condition.

Farxiga and metformin

In people with type 2 diabetes, Farxiga is commonly used together with metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet).

Questions about taking Farxiga

Below are a couple of commonly asked questions about taking Farxiga.

  • Can Farxiga be chewed, crushed, or split? The drug’s manufacturer hasn’t studied if it’s safe to chew, crush, or split Farxiga. So it’s best to swallow the tablets whole. If you have trouble taking Farxiga, check out this article or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Should I take Farxiga with food? You can take Farxiga with or without food.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Farxiga and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Farxiga affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Farxiga.

How does Farxiga compare with Januvia or other alternatives?

Farxiga and Januvia are both medications taken to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Both are taken by mouth once per day.

But there are important differences between the drugs. For example:

  • Farxiga and Januvia belong to different groups of drugs and have different side effects.
  • Januvia is only prescribed to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. But Farxiga also has heart benefits for people with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It also has additional benefits for certain people with heart failure or kidney disease.

Other alternatives to Farxiga that are prescribed for type 2 diabetes are Jardiance and Invokana. To read more about how Farxiga compares with these drugs, see “What should I know about Farxiga vs. Jardiance?” and “What should I know about Farxiga vs. Invokana?” below.

For more information about how these different drugs compare or other treatment options for type 2 diabetes, talk with your doctor.

How does Farxiga work?

Farxiga’s mechanism of action (how it works) is to make your kidneys filter more sugar, sodium, and water from your blood and into your urine. These substances then pass out of your body when you urinate.

In this way, Farxiga helps with the following:

  • In people with type 2 diabetes, it improves blood sugar levels by helping your body get rid of excess sugar.
  • In people at risk of being hospitalized for heart failure, Farxiga reduces this risk by helping your body get rid of excess sodium and fluid. This lowers your blood pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your body.
  • In people with heart failure, Farxiga helps reduce symptoms caused by a buildup of fluid in your body. These symptoms include:
  • In people with heart failure or kidney disease, Farxiga lowers the risk of death from a cardiovascular problem by reducing the strain on your heart and blood vessels.
  • In people with kidney disease, Farxiga helps prevent worsening kidney damage by lowering your blood pressure and the pressure in your kidneys.

Is Farxiga prescribed for weight loss?

No, Farxiga isn’t prescribed for weight loss. But it does help your body to get rid of excess sugar. And this reduces the amount of sugar your body stores as fat.

As a result, some people may lose weight while taking the drug. This side effect is usually helpful for people with type 2 diabetes, since weight loss can improve your blood sugar levels. It can also help prevent complications of type 2 diabetes, such as heart, kidney, and nerve problems.

Farxiga isn’t prescribed specifically for weight loss, and you should not take it for this purpose. If you’re interested in taking medication for weight management, talk with your doctor.

Does Farxiga cause hair loss?

No, Farxiga isn’t likely to cause hair loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

If you have hair loss while taking Farxiga, talk with your doctor. They can help figure out a possible cause of this problem.

Can taking Farxiga lead to bladder cancer?

It’s not likely. A few cases of bladder cancer were reported in early studies of Farxiga. But there wasn’t enough information to know if the drug was involved in causing the cancer.

No links have been made between bladder cancer and Farxiga since the medication has been widely prescribed.

If you’re concerned about bladder cancer with Farxiga, talk with your doctor.

Does Farxiga cause diarrhea?

No, you probably won’t have diarrhea with Farxiga. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

Other drugs prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes may cause diarrhea, including metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza). Metformin is sometimes used together with Farxiga.

If you have diarrhea while taking Farxiga, talk with your doctor. They may check to see what’s causing it. It may be caused by other drugs you take, such as other diabetes medications.

Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Diarrhea can increase your risk of dehydration (low fluid level). And this is a possible serious side effect of Farxiga.

Farxiga and Jardiance belong to the same group of drugs, but contain different active ingredients. While they work in the same way, they have slightly different uses.

To learn more about how Farxiga and Jardiance are alike and different, see “Farxiga vs. Jardiance” in this article. And talk with your doctor about which drug is best for treating your condition.

Farxiga and Invokana belong to the same group of drugs, but they contain different active ingredients. While these drugs work in the same way, they have slightly different uses.

If you’d like to learn how Farxiga compares with Invokana, see “Farxiga vs. Invokana” in this article. And be sure to talk with your doctor about which treatment is best for your condition.

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering Farxiga treatment include:

  • your overall health
  • any medical conditions you may have
  • any other medications you take

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain drugs, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Farxiga, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Farxiga.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Farxiga can interact with several types of medication. These include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Farxiga. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Farxiga.

Tell your doctor before you start taking herbs or supplements with Farxiga. Some of them can affect your blood sugar levels, which could affect your Farxiga treatment.

Other interactions

Farxiga will cause your urine to test positive for glucose (sugar). This is due to the way the drug works to reduce the level of sugar in your blood.

If you’ll be having a urine test to check for glucose, let your doctor or other healthcare professional know you’re taking Farxiga.

Warnings

Farxiga may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Farxiga. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Farxiga or any of its ingredients, you should not take Farxiga. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Kidney problems. Farxiga can cause dehydration (low fluid level), which may lead to kidney damage. If you already have kidney problems, you could be at higher risk of these side effects. Farxiga could also make your kidney problems worse. If your kidney function worsens during treatment, you may need to stop taking Farxiga. You should not take Farxiga if you’re receiving dialysis. (This is a process used to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys no longer can.) If you have kidney problems, talk with your doctor about whether Farxiga is right for you.
  • History of pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas). While it’s rare, Farxiga can cause a serious side effect called ketoacidosis (too much acid in your blood) in people with diabetes. You may be at higher risk of this side effect if you’ve had pancreatitis in the past. If this is the case, talk with your doctor about whether Farxiga is right for you.
  • History of urinary tract infection (UTI). Farxiga can raise your risk of UTI, which can be serious in rare cases. People who have a history of UTIs may be at higher risk of this side effect. Your doctor can help decide if Farxiga is right for you.
  • High cholesterol. Farxiga may increase your cholesterol levels. If you already have high cholesterol, your doctor will likely monitor your cholesterol levels while you take Farxiga.
  • Planned surgeries. While it’s rare, Farxiga can cause a serious side effect called ketoacidosis in people with diabetes. Having surgery may increase your risk of this side effect. If you have any planned surgeries, talk with your doctor about your Farxiga treatment. You may need to stop taking this drug for a few days beforehand. If you do stop taking Farxiga, your doctor will tell you when to start it again after your surgery.

Farxiga and alcohol

You should not drink large amounts of alcohol while taking Farxiga. This means you shouldn’t binge drink (consume a lot of alcohol in a short amount of time). It also means you should avoid drinking alcohol several days every week.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can raise your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you have diabetes, drinking large amounts of alcohol can also raise your risk of ketoacidosis (too much acid in your blood). This is a serious side effect of Farxiga.

It may be okay to have a drink every now and then while you’re taking Farxiga. But if you consume alcohol, be sure to ask your doctor how much is safe while taking this drug.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

While it’s very important to manage diabetes during pregnancy, it’s not known if Farxiga is safe to take during this time. It is not recommended that a person take Farxiga during the second and third trimesters.

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.

Farxiga isn’t recommended if you’re breastfeeding. It’s not known if the drug passes into breast milk. But if it does, it could cause serious side effects in a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, ask your doctor to suggest other medications to treat your condition.

Do not take more Farxiga than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Farxiga

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Farxiga. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you’re an adult with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease, your doctor may prescribe Farxiga. It’s a prescription drug that has different uses based on the condition it’s being taken to treat. For more information on these uses, see the “What is Farxiga used for?” section above.

If you have any questions about taking Farxiga, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about available treatment options and help you decide if Farxiga is right for your condition.

Examples of questions you might want to ask your doctor about Farxiga include:

  • How effective is Farxiga?
  • Can I take Farxiga with my other medications?
  • Is there anything I’ll need to avoid while taking Farxiga?
  • Do I have a high risk of side effects with Farxiga?
  • If I have side effects with Farxiga, is it possible to adjust my dose?

To learn more about Farxiga, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

Will I have side effects if I suddenly stop taking Farxiga?

Anonymous

A:

No, you shouldn’t have side effects if you suddenly stop taking this drug. Withdrawal effects (side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug) weren’t reported in studies of Farxiga.

But if you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar level will likely go up if you stop taking Farxiga. This is because the drug works to keep your blood sugar level within a healthy range.

If you’re taking Farxiga to lower certain risks caused by heart failure or kidney disease, stopping it may lead to your condition worsening. It can also increase your risk of hospitalization or death. But it shouldn’t cause withdrawal effects.

Do not stop taking Farxiga without first speaking with your doctor. If you both agree that you should stop taking Farxiga, your doctor can suggest other treatments for your condition.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.