Dapagliflozin is mainly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, but it is also used to treat heart failure and chronic kidney disease
The NHS has warned UK patients taking a commonly prescribed medication to seek urgent medical attention if they notice any of three specific symptoms. These can indicate serious complications from dapagliflozin.
Also known under its brand name Forxiga, dapagliflozin is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is also prescribed for heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Exact figures for how many prescriptions of dapagliflozin are issued in the UK each year are not available, but it is among the more expensive medications, with the NHS spending approximately £300million annually on it in England alone.
Dapagliflozin is also available in combination with other diabetes treatments, under brand names such as Xigduo (dapagliflozin with metformin) and Qtern (dapagliflozin with saxagliptin), the Express reports.
However, the NHS cautions on its website that “like all medicines,” dapagliflozin can cause some unwanted side effects. They advise contacting your doctor or calling 111 if you are experiencing any of the following:
- You have a very dry or sticky mouth, feel very thirsty, sleepy or tired, are not peeing (or peeing very little), and have a fast heartbeat – these may indicate dehydration
- You have a high temperature (or feel hot, cold or shivery), get a burning sensation when you pee, have pain in your back or side, or blood in your urine – these could be signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI)
- You get severe pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the groin or perineal area accompanied by a high temperature or feeling unwell – this may be a sign of a serious infection called Fournier’s gangrene
However, it is important to note these side effects are “rare” and happen in less than one in 10,000 people. Although there are some more common side effects, which happening in more than one in 100 people.
Speaking about these common side effects, the official NHS website states: “They’re usually mild and do not last long. There are things you can do to help cope with them.”
These side effects are:
- Thrush
- Back pain
- Peeing more than normal
- Feeling dizzy
- Mild skin rash
The NHS continues: “Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.”
Taking dapagliflozin alongside other diabetes medication, such as insulin or sulfonylureas like gliclazide, can also cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low.
In addition, some people taking dapagliflozin may develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that occurs when the body becomes low on insulin and harmful substances called ketones build up in the body.
Signs of DKA can include:
- Feeling or being sick
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling confused or unusually tired
- Having stomach pain
- Breath that smells fruity (like pear drop sweets, or nail varnish)
- Breathing more deeply or faster
The NHS says: “Symptoms usually develop over 24 hours, but can come on faster. Your doctor will show you how to monitor your ketone and blood sugar levels, and what to do if this happens.
“You’ll learn how to recognise the symptoms of DKA and what to do about it.” You should call 999 if you have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to dapagliflozin.
