Dapagliflozin
Also known as: Forxiga
What it's for
Dapagliflozin lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by making you pass sugar in your urine. It also protects your heart and kidneys, even in people without diabetes.
Comes as: Tablets
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 10mg once a day in the morning.
- Take at the same time each day.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Urinary tract infections (cystitis)
- Thrush (genital yeast infections)
- Passing urine more often
- Feeling thirsty
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Keep your genital area clean and dry to prevent infections
- Drink plenty of fluids
- May rarely cause diabetic ketoacidosis - know the warning signs
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and feel very unwell (signs of ketoacidosis)
- You have a high temperature with pain passing urine
- You have signs of severe dehydration
- You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection that won't go away
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.