The Best Time to Take Farxiga, Plus 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking It

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) belongs to a group of diabetes medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It comes as a once-daily oral tablet. Some people take it to treat Type 2 diabetes. Others take it for heart or kidney protection. You may even take it for all three.

Whether you’ve been taking Farxiga for a while or you’re just starting it, knowing how to take it can help you get the full benefits and minimize negative side effects. For example, knowing the best time to take Farxiga can help you avoid getting up to pee at night. Here are five pharmacist-backed tips for taking it.

1. The best time to take Farxiga is in the morning

While the manufacturer doesn’t specify a best time to take Farxiga, you may want to take it in the morning.

Farxiga lowers blood glucose (blood sugar) by stimulating your kidneys to pull sugar out of your bloodstream. The extra sugar ends up leaving your body when you pee. This is why Farxiga can cause extra trips to the bathroom, especially in the hours after taking your dose. So if you take your dose later in the day, you might end up waking up overnight to pee.

You should also take combination pills containing dapagliflozin, such as Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin / metformin), in the morning for the same reason.

2. You can take Farxiga with or without food

You can take Farxiga with or without food. Farxiga isn’t usually hard on the stomach. But if it causes nausea for you, try taking your doses with food. Food doesn’t affect how well Farxiga works in your body.

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But if you take Xigduo XR, you should take it with your morning meal. Xigduo XR’s metformin component frequently causes stomach-related side effects. Food can make them less likely to happen.

3. There are ways to manage yeast and urinary tract infections caused by Farxiga

If you develop a yeast or urinary tract infection (UTI) while taking Farxiga, contact your prescriber. You may need a prescription antifungal medication or antibiotic, respectively, to clear the infection.

Many microbes (“germs”) thrive in sugar-rich environments. That’s why diabetes raises the risk of UTIs or genital yeast infections. Farxiga also raises this risk — in both women and men. Because it pulls extra sugar out of your body when you pee, the related body parts are exposed to more sugar.

Even if you’ve had a yeast infection or UTI before, it can be tricky telling them apart. Both can cause pain or a burning sensation down there.

Managing genital yeast infections

The first symptom most people have with yeast infections is external genital itching. It may be intense for some people. Other common symptoms include redness, burning when you pee or have sex, and a cottage cheese-like discharge.

Yeast infections can often be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams. But talk with your prescriber first. Some may recommend oral antifungal tablets such as fluconazole (Diflucan). They can also determine whether you need to be examined or tested to check for other causes. Antifungal treatments won’t help with other infections, such as UTIs.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What to expect: Learn more about notable Farxiga (dapagliflozin) side effects — from nausea to yeast infections — and how to manage them.

• Medications to avoid: Pharmacists discuss how to prevent and manage Farxiga interactions.

• Does Farxiga cause weight loss? Get the answer to this and other frequently asked questions about Farxiga.

Managing urinary tract infections

Pain when you pee is a classic UTI symptom. You also might have to pee more often. Plus, your pee might look cloudy or have an unusually bad smell. More serious infections can cause fever and lower-abdominal or back pain.

Reach out to your prescriber at the first sign of a UTI. If they suspect a bacterial infection is the cause, they’ll typically prescribe an antibiotic. This will treat the infection and prevent the infection from spreading into your kidneys.

Good to know: Farxiga can cause dehydration, which can raise your risk for UTIs. Pay close attention to your fluid intake. A pee color that’s light-yellow or straw-colored is usually a good sign that you’re well-hydrated.

4. There are steps you can take to help Farxiga work more effectively

Taking Farxiga regularly is important. Finding and following a lifestyle that supports your overall health will also help Farxiga work better for you. In fact, Farxiga is specifically FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes as an add-on to a diabetes-friendly diet and exercise plan. Here are some tips to consider.

Take Farxiga consistently

An occasional missed dose is nothing to stress over. Just take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to when your next dose is due, skip it altogether. Never double up to make up for a missed dose. Frequent missed doses, however, can affect how well Farxiga works.

While you’re taking Farxiga, your prescriber will likely check your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C) from time to time. This represents your average blood sugar level over 3 months. If your A1C is above your target number, it’s important for your prescriber to know if missed doses might be part of the reason. Discuss with them if you’re having trouble staying consistent.

Eat nourishing foods that work for you

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a flexible approach to nutrition. It’s built around nutrient-dense and minimally processed foods that are appropriate for your individual goals, needs, and preferences. There are lots of foods to choose from. And there’s more emphasis on eating foods that are helpful for diabetes, rather than telling you what not to eat.

A flexible, personalized approach is recommended, because everyone’s body responds differently to foods. If you check your blood sugar at home, keeping a food diary along with your numbers might help you determine which foods are best for you. But figuring all this out by yourself can be overwhelming. Ask your prescriber about getting help from a registered dietitian.

Try to engage in regular physical activity

Any movement activity that makes your body use more energy can help with diabetes. Walking, gardening, or housework are common examples. Fun activities like dancing or following along to a yoga video are great, too. The ADA also recommends getting up from a seated position at least once every 30 minutes.

For most people, the goal should be at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise. Moderate intensity means you can talk while you’re doing it, but not sing. Adding in resistance training, such as squats or sit-ups, a few times a week can also help your body process sugar better. Discuss with your prescriber before making major changes.

5. If you have trouble swallowing Farxiga, contact your prescriber

Having trouble swallowing pills is a common problem. It’s estimated that up to 40% of U.S. adults struggle with this. Sometimes, cutting a pill in half makes it easier to swallow. But splitting, chewing, or crushing Farxiga tablets isn’t recommended.

Farxiga’s manufacturer doesn’t say whether cutting pills is OK. But the manufacturer of Xigduo XR specifically says to swallow the tablets whole.

If you’re unable to swallow pills, talk with your prescriber. They may recommend alternative treatment options. Currently, all SGLT2 inhibitors come only in oral pill form.

How to save on Farxiga

There are ways to save on Farxiga, which is available as a brand-name medication and authorized generic. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of brand-name Farxiga at an exclusive cash price of $288. GoodRx can also help you save over 40% off the retail cost of the generic version.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for brand-name Farxiga using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Farxiga’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

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Written by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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