Diabetes is a health problem that many people in our society face today. In particular, Type 2 Diabetes can occur at any age. With this condition, the risk of developing a number of other health problems also increases. So, there are many types of medications that doctors recommend to control this diabetes. One such drug is Farxiga. Today, in this article, we will talk about the most important things you need to know if your doctor prescribes this drug for you.
How does Farxiga work inside the body?
This drug, which comes under the brand name Farxiga, contains the active ingredient dapagliflozin . These belong to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. Now let's see what this is in simple terms.
Think of our kidneys as two super filters. These filters clean our blood and remove unwanted substances through urine. In this way, the sugar (glucose) in the blood also gets filtered into the urine. But our body is very cunning. Using a protein called SGLT2 in the kidneys, it reabsorbs the sugar that is trying to go into the urine. A person with diabetes already has high sugar levels in their body. So reabsorbing sugar is not a good thing.
Farxiga works by blocking the action of the SGLT2 protein . This means that sugar is no longer absorbed into the body, but instead is excreted in the urine. Simply put, the main function of this drug is to control blood sugar levels by removing excess sugar from your body through your urine .
What are the results of this medicine?
Farxiga has been extensively studied around the world. These studies have found that it is very effective in lowering blood sugar levels, both when used alone and in combination with other diabetes medications.
Farxiga has been used with the following medications commonly used to treat diabetes:
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas (eg, Gliclazide, Glimepiride)
- GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Insulin
- DPP-4 inhibitors
- Thiazolidinediones
The main thing that is looked at in these studies is a value called HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c). Simply put, HbA1c is your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months . It's like a 'report card' of your diabetes control. In many studies, people who used Farxiga had significantly lower HbA1c levels.
How long does it take to see results?
As soon as you start taking Farxiga, your blood sugar levels start to decrease. If you are someone who checks your blood sugar at home, you may see a big difference within the first 4 weeks . However, it takes a while for your HbA1c to decrease. Because it is an average of 2-3 months, it can take about 8 to 12 weeks to see a change in that value.
Are there any other benefits besides reducing sugar?
Yes! Although the main function of Farxiga is to control blood sugar, research has shown that it has several additional benefits. This is very important for someone with diabetes.
| Additional benefit | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | This is not a weight loss pill. However, since sugar is excreted in the urine, the calories in that sugar are also eliminated from the body. Therefore, it has been found that people who take this pill lose about 1.5 - 3.5 kg (3.5 - 7 pounds). |
| Decrease in blood pressure | This is not a medicine for blood pressure. But when sugar is excreted in the urine, a little water is also excreted from the body. This causes a slight decrease in blood pressure. |
| Reducing hospitalizations due to heart disease | This medicine has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure if you have heart disease or risk factors for it (cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking). |
| Kidney protection | Diabetes can damage your kidneys over time. If you have chronic kidney disease, Farxiga can also help prevent it from getting worse. |
What are the side effects of this medicine?
Like any medication, Farxiga can have some minor side effects. It is important to be aware of these.
1. Genital Yeast Infections
This is the most common side effect of Farxiga. The high sugar content in urine creates a favorable environment for fungi like yeast to grow. This is more common in women.
- Symptoms: Itching in the genital area, foul-smelling discharge.
- How to manage?
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Always keep the genital area dry.
- Talk to your doctor and get appropriate treatment.
2. Hypoglycemia - Too low blood sugar levels
This condition rarely occurs when Farxiga is taken alone. However, if you take Farxiga with insulin or a sulfonylurea (e.g., Gliclazide) , your blood sugar levels may become too low.
- Symptoms: sweating, trembling, extreme hunger, dizziness.
- Management: When you start Farxiga, your doctor may need to lower the dose of your other diabetes medications. Talk to your doctor about this.
3. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
This is a serious but rare condition. When the body can't use sugar for energy, it burns fat for energy. During this process, chemicals called ketones are produced. These build up in the blood, causing the blood to become acidic, which is called DKA.
- Symptoms: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and a fruity odor on the breath.
- What to do: This is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
How do I get Farxiga?
Farxiga is not a drug you can just buy over the counter at a pharmacy. It requires a prescription from a doctor.
Your primary care provider or an endocrinologist will evaluate your health and determine if this medication is right for you. Never use this medication or change the prescribed dosage without consulting a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a medication for type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels by eliminating excess sugar from the body through urine.
- In addition to controlling sugar, it also helps to slightly reduce body weight and blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and protect the kidneys.
- Yeast infections in the genital area are a common side effect. It is important to maintain cleanliness.
- There is a risk of hypoglycemia when taken with other diabetes medications such as insulin. Inform your doctor about this.
- Be aware of the symptoms of a serious condition called DKA. If in doubt, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- This medicine should only be used on the recommendation of a doctor .
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment