Dapagliflozin

Key takeaways

• Dapagliflozin causes the kidneys to remove more glucose and sodium in urine, which can affect hydration and blood pressure.
• Ketoacidosis can occur even when blood glucose is not very high; acute illness, fasting and surgery can increase risk.
• Genital pain or swelling with fever, severe nausea, abdominal pain or unusual breathlessness needs urgent assessment.

Listings are for comparison and general information, not a treatment recommendation; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, kidney assessment and prescription requirements.

What dapagliflozin is used for

Dapagliflozin may be used to improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes and to reduce selected heart-failure or kidney-disease outcomes. It is not a substitute for insulin in people who require insulin, and its role is not the same for every type of diabetes.

Important safety checks

Kidney function, blood pressure, hydration, diabetes type and current medicines should be reviewed. Insulin or sulfonylureas can increase hypoglycaemia risk when combined with it. A clinician may advise a temporary pause during serious illness, prolonged fasting or surgery; do not make that change without an agreed sick-day plan. Recurrent genital or urinary infection also needs discussion.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care for nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, unusual tiredness, confusion or fruity-smelling breath, even if glucose is not markedly raised. Severe genital or perineal pain, swelling, redness or fever also requires immediate assessment.