11 Farxiga Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a medication that can treat Type 2 diabetes. It can also help manage heart failure and chronic kidney disease. It belongs to the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class of medications.

If you or someone you know is just getting started with Farxiga, it’s common to be curious about the side effects. Being aware of possible reactions to the medication is important so that they don’t worsen or go untreated.

Farxiga side effects at a glance

Farxiga’s side effects are similar to those of other SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Jardiance (empagliflozin). Many of these side effects are common or relatively mild in nature. Still, there are a few side effects that don't happen often, but are serious when they do.

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Common or mild Farxiga side effects include:

• Genital fungal (yeast) infections, also called “thrush”

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Urinating more often

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Back pain

• Constipation

• Painful urination

• Cold-like symptoms

• Higher cholesterol

• Weight loss

Rare but serious Farxiga side effects include:

• Dehydration

• Low blood sugar (blood glucose)

• Ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood)

• Serious UTIs

• Serious genital infections, such as Fournier’s gangrene

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While not technically a side effect, allergic reactions are also rare but possible with Farxiga.

Below, we’ll discuss 11 Farxiga side effects that could occur when taking it, along with tips to help manage them when necessary. But, keep in mind, this isn’t a comprehensive list.

1. Yeast infections

Genital fungal, also referred to as “yeast” or “thrush,” infections are a common Farxiga side effect. This happens because of how the medication works. Farxiga removes excess sugar from your bloodstream through your urine. Extra sugar in the urine can attract fungi to the genital area, which can lead to yeast infections.

The risk is higher for women than men, especially for those who have a history of getting yeast infections. Typically, these infections are mild and easily treated with antifungal medications.

Men are also at risk of getting genital infections while taking Farxiga. This can affect the scrotum, penis, and surrounding areas. Though, again, the rate of these infections was lower for men than women in clinical trials.

In rare cases, a severe infection called Fournier’s gangrene can occur in both men and women. When taking Farxiga, you should watch out for swelling in the genital region, pain and tenderness, and fever. These could be symptoms of a more serious infection.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Compare the options: Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is one of several sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Read about several popular SGLT2 inhibitors and ways you can save on them.

• The right dose: Learn about Farxiga’s recommended dosages and what to do if you miss a dose.

• Potential weight loss: Farxiga can cause moderate weight loss for some people, but it’s not a weight-loss medication. Read about Farxiga’s effects on body weight here.

2. Urinary tract infections

Bacteria love sugar. It helps them grow and multiply. Since Farxiga makes you urinate extra sugar, it can help bacteria grow. And bacteria around our genitals can cause infections.

Taking Farxiga can raise the risk of UTIs for both women and men. If you develop a UTI, you’ll likely need an antibiotic to treat it. Untreated UTIs can lead to more serious infections, including kidney infections and sepsis.

Good to know: Since Farxiga carries a risk of UTIs and genital infections, maintaining good hygiene is important. Treating these infections quickly, if they do happen, can help clear them up faster. Let your prescriber know if you notice symptoms of a UTI or genital infection, such as pain with urination or genital itching. If you experience these infections frequently, Farxiga may not be the right option for you.

3. Urinating more often

Farxiga can cause you to urinate more as it works to get extra sugar out of your body. In addition to making your kidneys work more to remove sugar, it can actually cause your body to make more urine.

This Farxiga side effect appears to be more likely to occur with the higher dose of 10 mg. It’s slightly less common with the 5 mg dose. Taking Farxiga in the morning may help lower the chance that you’ll need to get up and urinate at night.

4. Dehydration

Because you may urinate more frequently, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated when taking Farxiga. This could be a problem, especially if you don’t rehydrate or you’re exposed to warmer temperatures than you’re used to.

Dehydration can cause you to have a drop in blood pressure, become dizzy, or faint. It can also lead to kidney damage in severe cases. While taking Farxiga, your prescriber should order regular blood tests to make sure your kidneys are OK.

It’s important to drink enough fluids throughout the day while taking Farxiga. But if you have heart failure, you should discuss the proper amount of fluids to drink with your prescriber.

5. Weight loss

Some people lose weight while taking Farxiga. In clinical trials, people taking the medication lost a moderate amount of weight compared to those taking a placebo (a pill containing no medication). But keep in mind that this is a side effect. Farxiga isn’t a weight-loss medication and shouldn’t be taken for this reason alone.

Weight loss with Farxiga may be beneficial for some people as it can help reduce your risk of other health conditions associated with Type 2 diabetes, such as heart disease. But if weight loss isn’t one of your health goals or you’re uncomfortable with this side effect, let your prescriber know.

6. Low blood sugar

Since Farxiga helps your body get rid of sugar, it should lower the overall amount of sugar in the body. While this helps manage Type 2 diabetes, taking certain diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, with Farxiga could make your blood sugar dangerously low.

It’s important to know the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) to help manage it if it happens. These include:

• Dizziness

• Tiredness

• Sweating

• Hunger

• Shakiness

• Fast heart rate

• Anxiety

• Weakness

• Confusion

If you're taking Farxiga, ask your prescriber how often you should check your sugar levels at home. If your sugar levels are too low and you have symptoms of low blood sugar, contact your diabetes care team or seek immediate medical attention.

7. Nausea

Feeling sick to your stomach is never fun. Unfortunately, it’s a possible side effect of many medications, including Farxiga. Taking it with food may help ease nausea and won’t affect how well the medication works.

Talk to your prescriber if your nausea becomes worse or doesn’t go away. Farxiga may not be the best option for you.

8. Dizziness and lightheadedness

It’s possible to experience dizziness and lightheadedness while taking Farxiga. If you start to feel either of these symptoms, check your blood sugar and blood pressure. Dizziness and lightheadedness can happen if your blood sugar or blood pressure are too low. These are also possible symptoms of dehydration, which is why it’s important to drink enough fluids while taking Farxiga.

Be sure to contact your healthcare team or seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms get worse or don’t go away.

9. High cholesterol

Farxiga can cause your cholesterol to go up, especially LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. LDL is often called “bad cholesterol.”

In clinical trials of Farxiga, these increases were generally small. But your prescriber should monitor your blood cholesterol levels regularly to make sure your LDL levels don’t get too high.

You can help naturally lower your cholesterol levels by incorporating supportive habits such as:

• Eating a cholesterol-healthy diet

• Exercising regularly

• Losing weight (if applicable and appropriate for you)

• Quitting smoking

• Avoiding or limiting alcohol

• Getting adequate sleep

10. Ketoacidosis

A rare but potentially life-threatening Farxiga side effect is ketoacidosis — a buildup of an acid called ketones in the blood. Ketoacidosis can happen when your blood sugar is too high. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

• Thirst

• Dry mouth

• Tiredness

• Vomiting

• Stomach pain

• Fruity smelling breath

• Trouble breathing

• Confusion

In general, Farxiga’s risk of causing ketoacidosis is higher in people with Type 1 diabetes. (This is why it should only be used to treat Type 2 diabetes.) However, this dangerous side effect can still happen in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Certain situations can raise the risk of ketoacidosis, such as getting sick or having surgery. When taking Farxiga, you should watch for symptoms of this serious side effect. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you’re experiencing ketoacidosis.

11. Allergic reactions

Although rare, there are some people who may be allergic to Farxiga. While allergic reactions are different from side effects, it’s still good to know that they can happen. Reactions to Farxiga can range from mild to serious.

If you experience less severe reactions, such as a mild rash, contact your prescriber. They may want to see you in person to evaluate your symptoms.

Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:

• Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat

• Difficulty breathing

• Severe rash or blisters

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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.

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

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Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

Timothy Aungst, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy practice for the past decade with different roles and responsibilities. He has served as an associate professor of pharmacy practice for almost a decade, a clinical pharmacist in outpatient cardiology management, and now in home healthcare.

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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