What is Dapagliflozin?
Dapagliflozin is used in the treatment of
type 2 diabetes
mellitus to help lower blood sugar levels. View the uses, side effects . The medication is used together with diet and exercise for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is used to lower the risk of needing to be in the hospital for heart failure in adults with Type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.
Dapagliflozin uses
In adults with type 2 diabetes, heart and blood vessel disease, or multiple risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease, dapagliflozin is often used to minimise the risk of having to be hospitalised for heart failure. The medication is also used to minimise the risk of having to be hospitalised and death from heart and blood vessel disease. Dapagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It helps to lower blood sugar levels by allowing the kidneys to excrete more glucose in the urine.
Dapagliflozin Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Dapagliflozin are:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Difficulty while breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain in stomach area
Some of the serious side effects of Dapagliflozin are:
- Frequent urination
- Strong smell while urination
- Pelvic and rectal pain
- Vaginal odor
- Swelling of legs and feet
- Swelling of penis
The common side effects don’t need any medical attention and will disappear as your body gets adjusted to the dosage. But if you are facing any kind of serious or rare side effects then immediately seek medical attention.
Precautions
Before taking Dapagliflozin talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or other medications. The product can contain some inactive ingredients which will cause serious allergic reactions or other problems. Before taking the medications talk to your doctor if you are having any medical history such as heart failure, pancreatic disease, urinary tract infections, low blood pressure, yeast infection in the genital area, kidney or liver disease.
Talk to your doctor if you have taken prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products.
How to use Dapagliflozin?
Dapagliflozin is available as a tablet that must be swallowed. It is normally taken once a day in the morning, with or without food. Dapagliflozin is a medication that helps people with type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. Stopping dapagliflozin without consulting your doctor is not a good idea. Take dapagliflozin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The normal dosage is 10 mg tablet once a day, but some people might be asked to start with a 5 mg dose.
You can feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, nervous, or shaky if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Eat or drink sugar-related item to rapidly treat hypoglycemia.
Stress, sickness, surgery, exercise, alcohol consumption, and meal skipping can influence blood sugar levels. Until surgery, you will need to avoid taking dapagliflozin for at least 3 days.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. If its time for the next dose, just take that one dose. Avoid taking two doses at the same time. This has the potential to have adverse side effects.If you forget to take your dose, remember to take it as soon as possible. However, if your next dose is approaching, simply take it at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once as it can increase the chance of getting some unwanted side effects.
Overdose
Contact your doctor right away if you take too many dapagliflozin pills. Overdose of this tablet can result in low blood sugar. If you suspect you have a low blood sugar level, eat or drink something that easily absorbs sugar into your bloodstream (like sugar cubes or fruit juice). This form of sugar won't last long in your system
Warnings for serious Health Conditions
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:
Dapagliflozin isn't approved for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We don't know if the drug is harmful to an unborn child. If you're trying for a baby or find out you're pregnant, your doctor will likely switch your medication to insulin for your protection.
Taking dapagliflozin when breastfeeding is usually not advised. There is a chance that the drug can pass into the breastmilk. However, it can have an impact on how babies' kidneys develop and grow. Consult your doctor to determine what is best for you and your child. They can prescribe a different medication, particularly if you're breastfeeding or have a premature baby.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
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