Dapagliflozin + Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug. Dapagliflozin belongs to the group of medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter. Metformin belongs to the class of medications called biguanides. FDA approved this medicine on October 30, 2014, for its medical use.

Dapagliflozin + Metformin is available as a tablet.  It treats type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients aged 18 years and older. This combination of medicines is taken by mouth (orally).

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of dapagliflozin + metformin based on the blood sugar and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time with food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.

The common side effects of dapagliflozin + metformin are nausea, vomiting, back pain, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, stomach ache, loss of appetite, dizziness, and rash. Other serious side effects are decreased vitamin b12, low blood sugar level, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, and rapid weight loss. 

Dapagliflozin + metformin can cause lactic acidosis, particularly if your kidneys are not working properly. The risk of developing lactic acidosis is also increased with uncontrolled diabetes, serious infections, prolonged fasting or alcohol intake, dehydration (see further information below), liver problems, and any medical conditions in which a part of the body has a reduced supply of oxygen (such as acute severe heart disease). If any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor for further instructions.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Dapagliflozin, Metformin, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Do not take this tablet if you have ever had a diabetic coma, severely reduced kidney function, severe infection, or liver problems. Inform your doctor immediately if you have vomiting, stomach ache, muscle cramps, severe tiredness, difficulty in breathing, reduced body temperature, and heartbeat after taking this medicine. 

Inform your physician if you get urinary tract infections because this medicine may cause UTI. This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Your doctor will check for kidney function at least once every year or more frequently while you are taking this medicine. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Dapagliflozin + Metformin and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

Store at 20°C to 25°C. Protect the medicine from light and excessive moisture. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. If you forgot to take the tablet, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

To control your diabetes, you still need to keep to diet and exercise, even when you are taking this medicine. So it is important to keep following the advice about diet and exercise from your doctor. Avoid excessive alcohol while taking this medicine. If you take more tablets than you should, you may experience lactic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling or being very sick, vomiting, stomach ache, muscular cramps, severe tiredness, or difficulty breathing. If you face these symptoms, stop taking this medicine immediately and contact a doctor or the nearest hospital.

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3. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Insulin, oral hypoglycaemic drugs and glucagon, 7th edition, 2013, 278.
4. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Endocrine pancreas and pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus and hypoglycaemia, 12th edition, 2011, 1258-1259.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.