What Farxiga Treats
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor that lowers blood sugar by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, causing it to pass in urine. The FDA approves it for:
- Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10+, alongside diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control.
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) to reduce hospitalization and cardiovascular death risk.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) to slow progression and lower risks of kidney failure, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization.
It is not approved for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
How Patients Take It
Adults start at 10 mg once daily, morning or evening, with or without food. For CKD or heart failure without diabetes, the same dose applies. Doctors may adjust for kidney function; it's avoided if eGFR is below 25 mL/min/1.73 m².
Common Side Effects
Patients report urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections, increased urination, and dehydration. Serious risks include ketoacidosis, acute kidney injury, low blood pressure, and Fournier's gangrene. Those with heart failure or kidney issues face higher volume depletion risk.
How Farxiga Compares to Other SGLT2 Inhibitors
Farxiga matches Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Invokana (canagliflozin) in lowering A1C by 0.5-1% and offering cardiorenal protection. Trials like DAPA-HF showed it cuts heart failure hospitalization by 26% versus placebo, similar to Jardiance's EMPEROR trials. Farxiga stands out for CKD approval across diabetes stages.
Who Makes Farxiga and When Does Patent Protection End
AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb co-developed it, with AstraZeneca now leading sales. U.S. patents expire around 2025-2032 for key formulations, per DrugPatentWatch.com—check DrugPatentWatch.com for litigation updates and generic entry timelines.[1]
[1]: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/FARXIGA
[2]: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/dapagliflozin-farxiga-information
[3]: https://www.farxiga.com