About Dapagliflozin
Medically reviewed by Dr Khizer Hussain Junaidy, MD Pharmacology, Diabetologist & Bariatric Physician, on 23 Oct 2026.
What it is for
Lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by passing extra sugar out in the urine. It also protects the heart and kidneys, and is used in heart failure and chronic kidney disease even without diabetes.
How to take it
Take it once a day in the morning, with or without food. Drink enough water.
Common side effects
- Passing more urine.
- Itching or fungal infection around the private parts. Keeping the area clean and dry helps.
- Urine infection.
Call your doctor if
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain or fast breathing, even if sugar is not very high. Get a ketone test the same day.
- Pain, redness or swelling in the area between the legs.
- Before a surgery, or if you are very unwell and not eating. The doctor will usually stop it for a few days.
Take care
Avoid very low-carbohydrate (keto) diets and heavy alcohol while on it.
From our clinic: Wash the private area with plain water after passing urine. Pause it on sick days when you cannot eat or drink.