You may be taking a diabetes medication called Dapagliflozin (commonly known as Farxiga). It's normal to be a little worried about the side effects of starting a new medication. But don't worry. Most of the side effects of this medication are minor, and they usually go away after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. If you have any side effects that are bothersome or interfere with your daily activities, be sure to tell your doctor.
How to control common side effects?
There are a few common side effects that some people may experience when taking this medication. Let's take a look at what they are and how to deal with them.
Frequent urination
This medicine works by stopping the kidneys from reabsorbing the extra sugar in your blood. Simply put, the extra sugar is excreted in your urine. So you may urinate more than usual and may need to urinate several times a day. Sometimes you may have to get up at night.
Don't reduce the amount of water you drink because of this. Doing so can lead to dehydration, which is a more serious condition. However, avoid drinking caffeinated beverages (like coffee) and alcohol. These also increase urination. If you want to reduce getting up at night, try to drink more water during the day. But don't go without water altogether.
Cold-like symptoms
Some people may experience cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat and stuffy nose when starting this medication. These can be relieved with simple home remedies (e.g., eating a little honey) or over-the-counter medications. Using a humidifier to keep the room moist can also help with both of these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about this and get advice if needed.
Yeast Infections
The most common side effect of this medication is a yeast infection in the genital area. This condition can occur in the vagina in women and in the penis in men. The main reason for this is that the high sugar content in urine creates a good environment for yeast to grow.
| Symptoms of a yeast infection | |
|---|---|
| Itching | Excessive itching in the genital area. |
| Discharge | A white, lumpy discharge. |
| Discomfort and pain | Redness, swelling, and pain in the area. Burning sensation when urinating. |
| Bad smell | Unusual odor. |
If you have an infection like this, you can ask your doctor about using an antifungal cream or pill. If your symptoms don't improve after about a week, be sure to see a doctor again.
To protect yourself from yeast infections, do these things:
- Control your blood sugar levels as your doctor tells you.
- Avoid using perfumed soaps, douches, and other scented products.
- Don't stay in wet clothes (after exercise or bathing) for too long.
- Wear loose-fitting underwear made of cotton.
- Avoid having sex while you have a yeast infection, as it can spread to your partner and you may get it back.
Other side effects and how to deal with them
Dizziness
This is also common when you first start taking the medicine. You may feel dizzy, especially when you stand up from a sitting position or when you get out of bed. If you feel this way, get some rest. When you get up, do not get up suddenly, but get up gradually. Do not drive or operate machinery while you are dizzy.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Like yeast infections, there is also a risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) because the high sugar content in urine creates an environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. While these are often minor infections, they can sometimes be serious.
| Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) | |
|---|---|
| Frequent and urgent need to urinate | Burning or pain when urinating |
| Lower abdominal pain | Urine that is cloudy, dark, or bloody |
| Having a strong odor in the urine | |
| Symptoms of a (more serious) kidney infection - if you have these, see a doctor immediately! | |
| Back pain, fever, chills | Nausea and vomiting |
If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, if they don't go away in a few days, if they get worse, or if you have frequent infections , be sure to see a doctor . You will likely need to take antibiotics.
What to do if serious side effects occur?
These are very rare to see, but it is very important to be aware of these things.
Dehydration
This medicine can cause excessive urination, which can lead to dehydration. If you are mildly dehydrated, you can correct it by drinking plenty of water. However, severe dehydration is a condition that can be life-threatening if left untreated.
If these are signs of severe dehydration, go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately:
- Feeling unimaginably tired or sleepy
- Confused
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid breathing
- Maybe loss of consciousness
Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Sometimes, especially if you are taking other diabetes medications, this medicine can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low. This is called ``Hypoglycemia''.
Symptoms of low sugar:
- Headache
- Hunger
- Irritability
- Feeling like your body is shaking
- Weakness, dizziness
- Sweating, rapid heartbeat
If your blood sugar level drops below 55-69 mg/dL, you can control it yourself. Drink something sweet (e.g. 1/2 cup of fruit juice, 1 tablespoon of honey) and check your blood sugar again in 15 minutes. If it has not returned to normal, do the same again. However, if your blood sugar level drops below 55 mg/dL, it is an emergency . Keep your family informed. You may need to give yourself a glucagon injection, as prescribed by your doctor, or go to the emergency room (ETU) immediately.
A very rare but serious infection - Fournier's gangrene
This is a very rare, but very serious bacterial infection . It affects the tissues under the skin around the genitals and anus. Call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms:
- Fever, chills, and shivering
- Pain, redness, or swelling in the genital area
- Excessive body fatigue
Ketoacidosis
This is also a very rare and dangerous condition. When the body starts using fat instead of glucose for energy, it produces acids called ketones. If these accumulate too much, it causes ``Ketoacidosis``.
Early symptoms:
- Excessive thirst
- Passing more urine than usual
- A fruity smell on the breath
If these symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and difficulty breathing, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Interactions with other drugs
If you take a combination drug containing other drugs (e.g., Metformin, Saxagliptin) with Dapagliflozin, there is a very small risk of other serious side effects, such as `(Lactic acidosis)`, `(Pancreatitis)`. Talk to your doctor about the drug you are taking and the specific side effects it may cause.
Take-Home Message
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Do not change the dosage or timing of your medication yourself.
- If you feel like stopping the medication due to any side effects, be sure to talk to your doctor before doing so.
- Be aware of the serious symptoms of dehydration, low blood sugar, and severe infections. If you see any of these signs, seek medical advice immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU).
- Maintain good fluid levels in your body. Drink enough water throughout the day.
- Take care of personal hygiene to avoid urinary tract infections and yeast infections.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any minor side effects that bother you. Don't be afraid, there are solutions to most things.
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