Description
Dapagliflozin belongs to the class of medications known as oral antihyperglycemic agents. It is used alone and in combination with other medications to control blood glucose for people with type 2 diabetes. This medication should be used as part of an overall diabetes management plan that includes a diet and exercise program. Dapagliflozin works by increasing the amount of glucose being removed from the body by the kidneys, which decreases the amount of sugar in the blood.
Dapagliflozin is used in addition to diet, exercise, and other glucose control medications to reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure for people with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease or are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It is used along with other medications to treat heart failure with the goal of reducing the risk of death from heart problems or to decrease the risk of urgent hospital visits for heart failure.
Dapagliflozin is also used by people with long-term kidney disease to reduce the risk of worsening of kidney function, progression to end-stage kidney disease, and death due to decreased heart or kidney failure.
When used to improve control of blood glucose levels, the recommended starting dose for dapagliflozin is 5 mg taken by mouth once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose up to a maximum of 10 mg daily, depending on how effective it is and how well it is tolerated. For people with heart failure or chronic kidney disease, the usual dose of dapagliflozin is 10 mg taken by mouth, once a day.
