Forxiga is a daily tablet treatment. It’s primarily used to treat type-2 diabetes, but it can also be used for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. It’s a branded medication that uses the active ingredient, dapagliflozin - a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in order to help you to control your blood glucose levels.
It should be used alongside a diet and exercise plan, and where treatment with metformin alone hasn’t been enough to manage your blood glucose levels. It can either be used on its own or alongside other diabetes treatments, such as metformin.
How does Forxiga work?
When you have type 2 diabetes, it means that you’re no longer able to break down the glucose that you eat as well as you should be able to. This is usually either because you don’t produce enough insulin (a hormone made in your pancreas that helps you to use glucose for energy) or because your cells have become less sensitive to insulin (or a combination of both). This then results in too high concentrations of glucose in your blood, as it’s not being properly broken down into energy.
Forxiga works to reduce your blood sugar levels by blocking the action of the SGLT2 protein in your kidney. The SGLT2 protein typically stops glucose and salt from entering your urine, so by blocking this protein, you pass more glucose in your urine, which lowers your blood sugar levels.
What doses of Forxiga are there?
There are two doses of Forxiga: 5mg and 10mg. The recommended dose is usually one 10mg tablet per day, though our clinician might recommend the 5mg tablet to you if you have a liver problem.
Your HbA1c (which shows your average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months) will need to be measured whilst you’re using Forxiga. If it doesn’t appear to be helping your blood glucose levels as it should be then your dose or treatment might need to be changed.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Forxiga
You should always follow the advice of our clinician when taking Forxiga. To use it:
swallow one tablet, whole, with water
take it with or without food
take it at any time of the day, but you might find it easier to remember if you take it at the same time each day.
How long does it take Forxiga to work?
Forxiga starts to get to work to reduce your blood sugar levels after around two hours, but it might take a week for it to reach its full effect. If you don’t have any symptoms from diabetes, you might not notice that it’s having an effect, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not working in the background to help your condition.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Forxiga?
If you accidentally take more Forxiga than you should’ve done, seek medical help straight away. If you forget your dose of Forxiga, you can take it when you remember, so long as you leave 12 hours until your next dose. If you’re unable to leave a 12 hour gap between doses then skip the missed one and take your next dose as normal. Don’t double up on doses to make up for missed ones.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Forxiga
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Forxiga different from other treatments for type-2 diabetes?
Answer:
There are a range of different treatments for type-2 diabetes, and finding one that works best for you isn’t always easy. The first treatment that you’ll usually be prescribed is metformin. If metformin, alongside diet and exercise, isn’t enough to help you maintain good blood sugar control then you’ll move on to a different treatment (or a combination treatment, which could involve taking metformin alongside another medication).
Different diabetes treatments often have different modes of action, so each one will usually work in your body in a slightly different way. You might also be prescribed an injection treatment rather than a tablet like Forxiga. Our clinician should be able to advise you of which treatment could be best for you once you’ve talked to us about your health.
Is Forxiga similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
There aren’t any other treatments that contain dapagliflozin on its own, so you won’t be able to get any treatments that work in quite the same way. There are, though, a couple of combination treatments that contain dapagliflozin.
Qtern contains dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, and Xigduo is a combination treatment containing dapagliflozin and metformin. You might find it easier to use these treatments if you’ve been advised to take a combination of these medicines.
Which dose of Forxiga should I use?
Answer:
You’ll typically take the 10mg dose of Forxiga unless you have a liver condition - in which case a clinician might decide that it’s safer for you to try the 5mg dose first. Our clinician will be able to advise you on the most suitable dose for you if you’re not sure.
Do I need a prescription for Forxiga?
Answer:
Yes, you need a prescription for Forxiga. Forxiga isn’t a suitable treatment for everyone, and your health and condition will need to be monitored whilst you’re using it to make sure that it continues to be suitable for you.
Why should I buy Forxiga online with Treated?
Answer:
We’ll offer proven treatments, alongside expert advice tailored to you, once you’ve talked to us about your health. We’ll deliver your treatment to you promptly and securely, and if you have any questions or concerns at any time, you can simply log into your account and send us a message.
We’ll check in on you to see how you’re getting on regardless, and when your prescription’s due to expire, we’ll send you a reminder - so you won’t have to worry about running out of your essential medication.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
