Brand Name: Farxiga
Generic name: dapagliflozin

Drug Class: Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor
Similar Drugs: Invokana (canagliflozin), Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Manufacturer: AstraZeneca
Approval Date: January 2014

What is Farxiga?

Farxiga is a medication that decreases blood glucose (sugar) in people with diabetes by blocking the kidney from reabsorbing glucose and removing excess glucose through the urine. It does this by blocking the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) which is a protein in the kidney that is responsible for reabsorbing glucose back into the body. Lowering high blood glucose can help prevent nerve problems, blindness, and kidney damage in people with diabetes. Proper control of blood glucose can also decrease the risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.

What is Farxiga used for?

Farxiga is indicated for blood glucose control in patients who have type 2 diabetes. It should be used together with a proper diet and exercise.

How well does Farxiga work?

A total of 485 previously untreated subjects with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c (blood sugar average for the last three months) between 7-10% were studied in a 24-week trial. They were placed in a group either taking Farxiga 5 mg, Farxiga 10 mg, or placebo (a pill containing only sugar).

Farxiga 5 mg group

• 50.8% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 28.8 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

Farxiga 10 mg group

• 44.2% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 24.1 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

Placebo group

• 31.6% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 4.1 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

A total of 546 subjects with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c between 7-10% and already on metformin participated in a 24-week study. They were placed in a group either taking a combination of Farxiga 5 mg with metformin, Farxiga 10 mg with metformin, or placebo with metformin.

Farxiga 5 mg plus metformin

• 37.5% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 21.5 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

Farxiga 10 mg plus metformin

• 40.6% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 23.5 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

Placebo plus metformin

• 25.9% achieved an HbA1c <7% and a decrease of 6.0 mg/dL in fasting blood glucose

A total of 182 subjects with type 2 diabetes were evaluated on the change in total body weight (TBW) and were treated with a combination of Farxiga 10 mg with metformin or placebo with metformin.

• After 24 weeks, the Farxiga group had an average weight reduction of -2.96 kg versus -0.88 kg in the placebo group.
• After 102 weeks, the Farxiga group had an average weight reduction of -5.43 kg versus -2.12 kg in the placebo group.
   

Also Read: Invokana and Farxiga for Weight Loss Management
 

Interesting facts about Farxiga

• Farxiga is a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is the second drug of this class.
• Unlike the first drug of this class, Invokana (canagliflozin), Farxiga does not increase the level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia) and can be taken with or without food.
• There is a risk of bladder cancer when taking Farxiga.
• It can reduce blood presure.
• Xigduo is a combination of Farxiga and metformin.

What is the dosage of Farxiga?

Farxiga comes in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. The starting dose of Farxiga is 5 mg once daily in the morning, with or without food.  Patients who need additional blood glucose control can be increased to a dose of 10 mg once daily.

What are the side effects of Farxiga?

Common: Fungal infections especially in women; common cold symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, or nasal congestion; urinary tract infections

Serious: Low blood glucose (if taken with another blood glucose lowering agent), kidney problems, increase in cholesterol, low blood pressure, bladder cancer

Farxiga Drug Interactions

There are no known drug interactions. It does not interact with metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), sitagliptin (Januvia), glimepiride (Amaryl), simvastatin (Zocor), or hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide).

What is the cost of Farxiga?

The price of Farxiga at the local pharmacy for both 5 mg and 10 mg tablets  is about $11.57 per tablet and $343.99 for a 30 day supply (30 tablets). 

How to obtain prescription cost assistance for Farxiga

Use these resources for cost assistance.

AZ&Me Prescription Savings Programs

Farxiga and Xigduo Saving Card and Coupon

Call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363), for any questions regarding AstraZeneca programs, eligibility requirements, or the application process

Also Read 

Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin ER) Side Effects, Cost, Dosing, Approval, And Prescribing Information For Type 2 Diabetes

Metformin HCL (Glucophage) for Diabetes: Side Effects, Dosage, Mechanism of Action

Invokana and Farxiga for Weight Loss Management

New Standards for Diabetes Medical Care 

Invokana (canagliflozin) Review, Cost, Weight Loss Effects, Side Effects, PI

New Drugs for Diabetes Treatment

References

Farxiga Prescribing Information (Package Insert, Label)