Answers to Your Questions About FARXIGA
Answers to Your Questions About FARXIGA

 

Answers to frequently asked questions

About FARXIGA

Do not take FARXIGA if you are allergic to dapagliflozin or any of the ingredients in FARXIGA. See the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients in FARXIGA. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

  • raised red patches on your skin (hives)
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing

If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

FARXIGA is part of a class of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It blocks some of the sugar and sodium reabsorption in the kidneys.

FARXIGA works with the body to flush sugar away in urine. In a clinical trial of adults with type 2 diabetes, FARXIGA was shown to remove approximately 70 grams of sugar in the urine per day at the end of a 12-week period. The effect of FARXIGA on the kidneys may also help improve your heart's ability to pump blood to the body. FARXIGA also works to lower the increased kidney pressure that comes with chronic kidney disease.

With the FARXIGA Savings Card, most commercially insured patients can get FARXIGA for as little as $0* per month for as long as their doctor prescribes any available dose. You can even register to receive savings and prescription refill reminders via text!

*Eligible commercially insured patients can get FARXIGA for as low as $0 as long as their doctor prescribes it. Not available for government-insured patients. Subject to eligibility and monthly savings limitRestrictions apply.

Multiple generic forms of FARXIGA are expected in early 2026. Generic medicines are generally more affordable than brand-name treatments. If your doctor prescribes you FARXIGA, you can save today with the FARXIGA Savings Card and potentially financially benefit from the anticipated availability of multiple generics in the future.

The Food and Drug Administration granted FARXIGA its “Breakthrough Therapy Designation" for its review in chronic kidney disease. That means it may provide substantial improvement over treatments that are currently available for chronic kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

High blood sugar from diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, which may cause CKD.

  • #1 cause of CKD is diabetes
  • About 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has CKD

High blood pressure can damage your kidneys. The damage can impact how well the kidneys can do their job. This can lead to chronic kidney disease.

  • #2 cause of CKD is high blood pressure
  • About 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have CKD

FARXIGA is not a blood pressure drug.

eGFR stands for “estimated glomerular filtration rate” and it is one of your kidney numbers.

Tracking your eGFR is important because it tells your doctor:

  • How well your kidneys are doing their job
  • What stage of CKD you could be in
  • If your kidney function may be declining

If your eGFR is less than 60, it may mean you have CKD.

*eGFR is measured in mL/min/1.73 m2.

UACR stands for “urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio” and is also one of your kidney numbers. UACR tests show if you have increased protein in your pee. If your UACR is over 30 for 3 or more months, it could mean there's kidney damage and may mean you have CKD.

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes in how often you pee or what your pee looks like.

UACR is measured in mg/g.

For adults with chronic kidney disease, FARXIGA can help reduce the risk of further worsening of kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, death due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease.

Heart failure

The heart is a muscular pump that squeezes and relaxes to deliver blood to the body. Heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped. It means the heart isn’t filling or pumping as well as it should. Almost 7 million people in the United States are living with heart failure.

Two types of heart failure are:

  1. HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction) – when the heart muscle is weak, so it can’t pump enough blood to keep up with the body’s needs
  2. HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) – when the heart muscle gets stiff and can’t fill properly, so it pumps out less blood to the body

Unlike a heart attack, heart failure happens slowly. It’s a chronic condition that gets worse over time and can lead to hospitalization or death.

  • Almost 1 million hospitalizations a year for heart failure
  • One in 8 deaths a year is associated with heart failure
  • #1 diagnosis for going back in the hospital within a month

For adults with heart failure, FARXIGA can help save lives by reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, lowering the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, and reducing the risk of urgent heart failure visit.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors

People with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk of developing heart failure than those who don’t have the disease.

  • 68% of adults with type 2 diabetes showed loss of heart function within 5 years of their type 2 diabetes diagnosis
  • Up to 50% of people with type 2 diabetes may develop heart failure
  • People with type 2 diabetes have a 33% higher risk of landing in the hospital from heart failure than those without it

FARXIGA may help reduce the risk of heart failure hospitalization if you’re an adult with type 2 diabetes and heart disease or other cardiovascular risk factors—like advanced age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.

Type 2 diabetes

FARXIGA (far-see-guh) is a once-daily pill taken in the morning with or without food.

In studies, FARXIGA:

  • Removed some blood sugar through the urine*
  • Significantly lowered A1C

Additionally, FARXIGA may help you:
Lose weight—on average 3%
Reduce systolic blood pressure

FARXIGA is not a weight loss or blood pressure drug.

And, if you’re not reaching your A1C goal on metformin alone, read this important information about FARXIGA.


Individual results may vary.


*With FARXIGA at 12 weeks.

When used with metformin.

For some people, taking metformin alone can lower their A1C to goal. For others, adding FARXIGA may be the extra help they need. A study has shown that adding once-daily FARXIGA to metformin therapy helped some patients lower their A1C more than metformin alone.


And, although not a weight loss or blood pressure drug, FARXIGA may help you lose weight and lower systolic blood pressure.


Individual results may vary.

FARXIGA side effects

FARXIGA can cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about FARXIGA?”.

  • Serious urinary tract infections (UTI). Serious urinary tract infections that may lead to hospitalization have happened in people who are taking FARXIGA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection such as a burning feeling when passing urine, a need to urinate often, the need to urinate right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis), or blood in the urine. Sometimes people also may have a fever, back pain, nausea or vomiting.
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with diabetes mellitus. If you take FARXIGA with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you take FARXIGA. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
    • headache
    • shaking or feeling jittery
    • irritability
    • fast heartbeat
    • weakness
    • drowsiness
    • sweating
    • confusion
    • dizziness
    • hunger

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for treating low blood sugar

  • A rare but serious bacterial infection that causes damage to the tissue under the skin (necrotizing fasciitis) in the area between and around the anus and genitals (perineum). Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum has happened in women and men with diabetes mellitus who take FARXIGA. Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum may lead to hospitalization, may require multiple surgeries, and may lead to death. Seek medical attention right away if you have fever or you are feeling very weak, tired, or uncomfortable (malaise) and you develop any of the following symptoms in the area between and around the anus and genitals:
    • pain or tenderness
    • swelling
    • redness of skin (erythema)
  • Serious allergic reaction. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking FARXIGA and call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. See “Who should not take FARXIGA?”. Your healthcare provider may give you a medicine for your allergic reaction and prescribe a different medicine for your diabetes.

The most common side effects of FARXIGA include:

  • vaginal yeast infections and yeast infections of the penis
  • stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
  • changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night

These are not all the possible side effects of FARXIGA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products

Taking and storing FARXIGA

Before you take FARXIGA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • have type 1 diabetes or have had diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • have a decrease in your insulin dose.
  • have a serious infection.
  • have a history of infection of the vagina or penis.
  • have liver problems.
  • have a history of urinary tract infections or problems with urination.
  • are on a low sodium (salt) diet. Your healthcare provider may ask you to change your diet.
  • are going to have surgery. Your healthcare provider may stop your FARXIGA before you have surgery. If you are having surgery, talk to your healthcare provider about when to stop taking FARXIGA and when to start it again.
  • are dehydrated.
  • are eating less or there is a change in your diet.
  • have or have had problems with your pancreas, including pancreatitis or surgery on your pancreas.
  • drink alcohol very often or drink a lot of alcohol in the short term (“binge” drinking).
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. FARXIGA may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking FARXIGA, your healthcare provider may switch you to a different medicine to control your blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar if you plan to become pregnant or while you are pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FARXIGA passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed if you take FARXIGA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

FARXIGA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how FARXIGA works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

  • Take FARXIGA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
  • Take FARXIGA by mouth 1 time each day, with or without food.
  • Your healthcare provider will tell you how much FARXIGA to take and when to take it. Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses of FARXIGA at the same time. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about a missed dose.
  • If you take too much FARXIGA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
  • If you have diabetes:
    • When your body is under some types of stress, such as fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, the amount of diabetes medicine you need may change. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these conditions and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
    • Your healthcare provider will check your diabetes with regular blood tests, including your blood sugar levels and your HbA1c.
    • Your healthcare provider may tell you to take FARXIGA along with other diabetes medicines. Low blood sugar can happen more often when FARXIGA is taken with certain other diabetes medicines. See “What are the possible side effects of FARXIGA?”.
    • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for treating low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Talk to your healthcare provider if low blood sugar is a problem for you.
  • FARXIGA will cause your urine to test positive for glucose.
  • Your healthcare provider may do certain blood tests before you start FARXIGA and during your treatment as needed. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of FARXIGA based on the results of your blood tests.
  • Do not change your dose of FARXIGA without talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Stay on your prescribed diet and exercise program while taking FARXIGA.

Store FARXIGA at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).

Please see Important Safety Information and Medication Guide and US Full Prescribing Information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take FARXIGA?

Do not take FARXIGA if you are allergic to dapagliflozin or any of the ingredients in FARXIGA. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include skin rash, raised red patches on your skin (hives), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What are the possible side effects of FARXIGA?

FARXIGA may cause serious side effects including:

  • Ketoacidosis. FARXIGA can cause ketoacidosis, a serious condition which may require hospitalization and lead to death. People with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or pancreas problems have a high risk of getting ketoacidosis. Signs and symptoms may include nausea, tiredness, vomiting, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, and ketones in your urine or blood. If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and call your healthcare provider right away. If possible, check for ketones in your urine or blood, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL
  • Dehydration (the loss of body water and salt), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). There have been reports of sudden kidney injury in people with type 2 diabetes who are taking FARXIGA. You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics); are age 65 or older; are on a low salt diet, or have kidney problems. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to prevent dehydration including how much fluid you should drink on a daily basis. Call your healthcare provider right away if you reduce the amount of food or liquid you drink, or if you experience vomiting or diarrhea
  • Serious urinary tract infections (UTI), some that lead to hospitalization, occurred in people taking FARXIGA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of UTI including a burning feeling when passing urine, a need to urinate often, the need to urinate right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis), or blood in the urine with or without fever, back pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you take FARXIGA with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Symptoms of low blood sugar include shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, dizziness, hunger, headache, and irritability. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for treating low blood sugar
  • Bacterial infections under the skin of the genitals and areas around them. Rare but serious infections that cause severe tissue damage under the skin of the genitals and areas around them have happened with FARXIGA. This infection has happened in women and men and may lead to hospitalization, surgeries, and death. Seek medical attention immediately if you have fever or you are feeling very weak, tired or uncomfortable and you also develop any pain or tenderness, swelling, or redness of the skin in the genitals and areas around them
  • Vaginal yeast infections in women who take FARXIGA. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (discharge may be lumpy or look like cottage cheese), or vaginal itching
  • Yeast infection of skin around the penis (balanitis) in men who take FARXIGA. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience redness, itching, or swelling of the penis; rash of the penis; foul smelling discharge from the penis; or pain in the skin around the penis. Certain uncircumcised men may have swelling of the penis that makes it difficult to pull back the skin around the tip of the penis

The most common side effects of FARXIGA include yeast infections of the vagina or penis, and changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking FARXIGA?

Before you take FARXIGA, tell your healthcare provider:

  • all of your medical conditions, including problems with your liver or pancreas
  • if you have had diabetic ketoacidosis
  • if you have type 1 diabetes, decrease in your insulin dose, serious infection, history of infection of the vagina or penis, history of urinary tract infections, or problems with urination
  • if you are on a low sodium diet, going to have surgery, eating less or change in diet, dehydrated, or binge drink
  • if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. FARXIGA may harm your unborn baby
  • if you are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if FARXIGA passes into your breast milk
  • about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements

What is FARXIGA?

FARXIGA is a prescription medicine used to:

  • reduce the risk of further worsening of your kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, death due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease 
  • reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body 
  • reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors 
  • improve blood sugar control along with diet and exercise in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes


FARXIGA is not for use to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in people with type 1 diabetes.

FARXIGA is not for use to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in people with type 2 diabetes who have moderate to severe kidney problems, because it may not work.

FARXIGA is not for people with certain genetic forms of polycystic kidney disease, or who are taking or have recently received immunosuppressive therapy to treat kidney disease. FARXIGA is not expected to work if you have these conditions.

Important Safety Information