How And When To Take Dapagliflozin

NHS medicines information on dosage for dapagliflozin, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

Dosage and strength

Dosage for diabetes

For type 2 diabetes, the usual dose of dapagliflozin for adults and children aged 10 years old and over is 10mg, taken once a day. Your doctor may start you off on a lower dose of 5mg.

If you're taking a combination tablet (dapagliflozin with metformin or dapagliflozin with saxagliptin), the doses may vary.

Dosage for heart failure

For heart failure, the usual dose for adults is 10mg, taken once a day.

Dosage for chronic kidney disease

For chronic kidney disease, the usual dose for adults is 10mg, taken once a day.

Taking dapagliflozin with metformin (Xigduo)

There are 2 strengths of Xigduo. Each tablet contains 5mg of dapagliflozin but they contain different amounts of metformin. One contains 850mg of metformin and the other contains 1g.

Your doctor will prescribe the strength with the right amount of metformin for you.

The usual dose is 1 tablet, taken twice a day.

Taking dapagliflozin with saxagliptin (Qtern)

There's only 1 strength of Qtern. Each tablet contains 10mg of dapagliflozin and 5mg of saxagliptin.

The usual dose is 1 tablet, taken once a day.

How to take it

You can take dapagliflozin any time of day, just try to take it at the same time every day.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew them. You can take them with or without food.

But if you're taking dapagliflozin with metformin, it's a good idea to take it with food or just after. This is because metformin is more likely to affect your stomach.

How long to take it for

Treatment for diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease is usually for life.

Do not stop taking your dapagliflozin tablets without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may get worse.

If this medicine is not working for you or you're bothered by side effects, speak to your doctor. They may be able to recommend another medicine to treat your diabetes.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose of dapagliflozin or Qtern and it's 12 hours or more until your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time.

If it's less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time.

If you miss a dose of Xigduo, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of dapagliflozin tablets, contact your doctor straight away. Taking too much can cause low blood sugar.

If you think you have low blood sugar, have some food or drink that quickly gets sugar into your bloodstream (like sugar cubes or fruit juice).

This type of sugar will not stay in your blood for long. You may also need to eat a starchy carbohydrate, like a sandwich or a couple of biscuits.

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.