Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is taken as one tablet by mouth, once a day, with or without food. Most people start at 5 mg daily, and the dose may be increased to 10 mg depending on the condition being treated and how well you tolerate the medication. There’s no required time of day, so picking a consistent time that fits your routine is the simplest approach.
What Farxiga Does in Your Body
Farxiga belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors. It works in your kidneys by blocking a protein that normally reabsorbs sugar and sodium back into your bloodstream. With that protein blocked, excess glucose leaves your body through urine instead of recirculating. The kidneys also flush out more sodium and water, which reduces fluid volume and lowers blood pressure slightly.
This mechanism is why Farxiga is prescribed for three different conditions: type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. In diabetes, the extra glucose excretion directly lowers blood sugar. In heart failure and kidney disease, the fluid and pressure reduction takes strain off both the heart and the kidneys. The kidney-protective effect comes partly from correcting a common problem called glomerular hyperfiltration, where the kidneys are working too hard under too much pressure.
Dosing by Condition
For type 2 diabetes, the typical starting dose is 5 mg once daily, which can be increased to 10 mg if you need additional blood sugar control. For heart failure and chronic kidney disease, 10 mg once daily is the standard dose. Your prescriber will determine which dose is right based on your kidney function, blood pressure, and other medications.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. The one exception: if it’s already close to the time you’d normally take your next dose, skip the missed one and resume your regular schedule. Never double up to make up for a missed tablet. Taking two doses at once increases the risk of side effects like dehydration and low blood pressure without providing extra benefit.
Common Side Effects to Watch For
Because Farxiga increases the amount of sugar in your urine, it creates an environment where yeast and bacteria thrive. Genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections are among the most frequently reported side effects. Women tend to experience yeast infections more often than men, though men can develop them too. Staying well hydrated and practicing good hygiene can help reduce your risk.
You may also notice that you urinate more often, especially in the first few weeks. This is a direct result of how the drug works. It usually becomes less noticeable over time, but maintaining adequate fluid intake is important throughout treatment to avoid dehydration.
Ketoacidosis
A rare but serious risk is a condition called ketoacidosis, where your blood becomes dangerously acidic. What makes this tricky with Farxiga is that it can happen even when blood sugar levels appear normal or only slightly elevated. Watch for nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or trouble breathing. If you develop a combination of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. The risk is higher during illness, surgery, or prolonged fasting, so discuss a plan for those situations with your prescriber.
Interactions With Other Medications
If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea (a type of pill that stimulates your pancreas to release more insulin), adding Farxiga increases the chance of low blood sugar. Your prescriber may lower the dose of your insulin or sulfonylurea when starting Farxiga to prevent this. Know the signs of low blood sugar: shakiness, sweating, confusion, and rapid heartbeat.
Farxiga also amplifies the effects of diuretics (water pills). Both reduce fluid volume, so taking them together can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, especially when standing up quickly. Older adults and people with reduced kidney function face a higher risk. If you take a diuretic alongside Farxiga, your prescriber will likely monitor your blood pressure, kidney function, and hydration status more closely. Drinking enough fluids throughout the day is one of the simplest ways to manage this.
Staying Hydrated Matters More Than Usual
Dehydration is an underappreciated risk with Farxiga. The drug increases both glucose and sodium excretion, pulling water along with them. Proximal tubule fluid reabsorption drops by roughly 27% while you’re on the medication. In practical terms, that means your kidneys are holding onto less water than they normally would. Hot weather, exercise, illness with vomiting or diarrhea, and skipping fluids can all tip the balance toward volume depletion. Symptoms include dizziness when standing, dry mouth, and feeling faint. Adequate daily water intake is not optional on this medication.
Storing Your Tablets
Keep Farxiga at room temperature, ideally between 68°F and 77°F. Brief exposure to temperatures as low as 59°F or as high as 86°F is acceptable, but avoid leaving your medication in a hot car, a bathroom with steam, or direct sunlight for extended periods. Store the tablets in their original packaging until you’re ready to take them.