Key takeaways:
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a Type 2 diabetes medication that’s also approved for chronic kidney disease and heart failure. It’s not FDA approved for weight loss, but many people taking Farxiga lose about 6 lbs to 7 lbs during the first 6 months.
Experts believe Farxiga causes weight loss because it removes extra sugar (glucose) from the body. This means there’s less excess sugar available to be turned into fat cells.
There are several ways to save on Farxiga. GoodRx can help you access Farxiga at an exclusive cash price of $288. Manufacturer savings cards and patient assistance programs are also available.
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Can a diabetes medication cause you to drop a few pounds? Whether you’re thinking about starting a diabetes medication or you’re already taking one, you may be curious about the possible weight loss effects.
One medication of interest in this regard is Farxiga (dapagliflozin). It’s FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and certain types of heart failure. But it can cause weight loss as a side effect. And that can be an added benefit for many people who take it.
Here, we’ll sort through it all and explain how Farxiga causes weight loss. Plus, we’ll answer other commonly asked questions about Farxiga, including how fast weight loss may happen and more.
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1. Does Farxiga cause weight loss?
Yes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) places Farxiga in the middle of diabetes medications in terms of how much weight loss it causes. Farxiga may cause more weight loss than metformin, but less than glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists such as Ozempic (semaglutide).
How much weight loss does Farxiga cause?
In clinical studies, Farxiga caused a little less than 5 lb of weight loss after 24 weeks (about 6 months) when combined with metformin. Real-world data suggests a higher amount of weight loss (about 10 lbs after about 6 months) may be possible with Farxiga when it’s taken along with other diabetes medications, such as metformin.
Keep in mind, these numbers are averages. Some people might lose more or less weight with Farxiga. It’s also possible that you won’t have any weight changes. Body weight changes are influenced by many factors, such as diet, exercise, and other medications.
2. How does Farxiga work for weight loss?
Farxiga belongs to a group of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Farxiga is thought to cause some weight loss by removing extra sugar (glucose) from your bloodstream. The sugar exits your body through your urine (pee). This makes less sugar available to be turned into fat cells. But Farxiga may also help burn fat (more details below).
On average, Farxiga removes about 75 grams of sugar from the blood each day. That equates to a loss of 300 calories. For reference, about 3,500 calories equals 1 lb.
Does Farxiga help burn fat?
Yes. Farxiga has been shown to cause changes to your metabolism and may help your body turn stored fat into energy. It can also help your liver break down some fats. So most of the weight loss from Farxiga is thought to be from decreases in body fat.
That being said, any time weight loss occurs, there’s a risk of losing lean body mass (muscle mass). And losing muscle mass can raise your risk of certain health complications, such as a greater risk of injury.
3. How long does it take for Farxiga to work?
Farxiga starts working soon after your first dose. But how long it will take to see the full benefits depends on why you’re taking it.
Type 2 diabetes
Farxiga starts lowering your blood sugar just hours after your first dose. But it will take longer to notice a drop in your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C), since that reflects your average blood sugar over the past 3 months. In initial clinical studies, Farxiga lowered A1C levels by an average of just under 1% over about 6 months. Most of the drop in A1C happened during the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Heart failure
The heart benefits of Farxiga may start to kick in within 2 to 4 weeks. These benefits should continue for as long as you take the medication.
The DELIVER clinical trial studied Farxiga in more than 6,000 people with certain types of heart failure. Half were given Farxiga. The other half were given a placebo (a pill with no medication in it). Within 2 to 4 weeks, the group taking Farxiga had fewer hospitalizations. Plus, they were more likely to report fewer heart failure symptoms.
Chronic kidney disease
You’ll likely need to take Farxiga for a longer period of time before its kidney benefits show up. A 3-year clinical study of more than 4,000 people with CKD showed that the kidney benefits of Farxiga started out slowly during the first year of treatment. But these benefits continued increasing during the following 2 years.
Of note, the people taking Farxiga in the study actually showed an initial decrease in eGFR (an estimate of kidney function). But further analysis found that this initial dip didn’t worsen long-term CKD outcomes. Unless eGFR drops significantly (more than 30%), no change in treatment is typically recommended.
4. How rapid is weight loss with Farxiga?
It’s possible that your body weight could start decreasing as soon as 3 days after starting Farxiga. However, the weight loss during the first month is usually from fluid loss, sometimes called water weight. Fat loss happens more slowly — starting around 6 weeks after starting Farxiga and continuing for about 6 months.
5. Does Farxiga cause weight gain?
Typically, Farxiga doesn’t cause weight gain for most people. But one study of over 600 people found that some people experienced weight gain while taking Farxiga.
This was only a short-term study, and not all participants were considered overweight to begin with. What’s more, the majority of the participants lost weight. So more research would be needed to determine who might have a higher risk of weight gain with Farxiga and how likely it is.
Keep in mind that there are multiple factors that can contribute to weight gain. Genetics, as well as your eating and exercise habits, can play a role. And other medications, such as insulin, can also make it harder to lose or maintain weight.
If you’ve noticed weight gain since starting Farxiga, let your diabetes care team know. They can help determine what may be causing it and suggest ways to help maintain a body weight that’s comfortable for you.
6. What Farxiga interactions should you know about?
There are a few important Farxiga interactions to be aware of, including with other medications that manage Type 2 diabetes or heart failure. Notable interactions include:
Sulfonylureas, such as glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
Meglitinides (glinides), such as repaglinide
Other SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Diuretics (water pills), such as furosemide (Lasix)
Lithium (Lithobid)
Many of Farxiga’s interactions can be managed by adjusting the dose of your medications. Be sure to give your healthcare team a list of all your medications and supplements so they can screen for additional interactions.
It’s also important to limit alcohol consumption while you’re taking Farxiga. Drinking too much can make it more difficult to manage your blood sugar. It also raises your risk of having serious Farxiga side effects, including blood sugar that is very low (hypoglycemia) or very high (ketoacidosis).
Can you take Farxiga with metformin?
Yes, you can take Farxiga with metformin. The two medications are sometimes prescribed together to help control blood sugar and lower the risk of heart and kidney problems. You can also find both medications combined in a single pill called Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin / metformin).
Tips on 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 Farxiga at an exclusive cash price of $288.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 per month for Farxiga using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with a patient assistance program. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Farxiga’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Ozempic and Farxiga can both be good options for treating Type 2 diabetes. Your prescriber will determine which medication is best based on your treatment goals and other health conditions. For example, Farxiga may be a better choice if you have heart failure, whereas Ozempic may be better if you have a higher stroke risk. And if needed, you can combine Ozempic and Farxiga.
No, Farxiga is not a weight-loss medication and doesn’t suppress your appetite. Weight loss from Farxiga is likely due to changes in blood sugar levels and fat metabolism. But Farxiga does cause nausea as a side effect in some people. And this could affect your appetite.
Yes, Farxiga can help treat CKD and some types of heart failure, even if you don’t have diabetes. But it isn’t a GLP-1 medication (some of which can be used for weight loss without diabetes). You shouldn’t take Farxiga for weight loss alone.
Ozempic and Farxiga can both be good options for treating Type 2 diabetes. Your prescriber will determine which medication is best based on your treatment goals and other health conditions. For example, Farxiga may be a better choice if you have heart failure, whereas Ozempic may be better if you have a higher stroke risk. And if needed, you can combine Ozempic and Farxiga.
No, Farxiga is not a weight-loss medication and doesn’t suppress your appetite. Weight loss from Farxiga is likely due to changes in blood sugar levels and fat metabolism. But Farxiga does cause nausea as a side effect in some people. And this could affect your appetite.
Yes, Farxiga can help treat CKD and some types of heart failure, even if you don’t have diabetes. But it isn’t a GLP-1 medication (some of which can be used for weight loss without diabetes). You shouldn’t take Farxiga for weight loss alone.
The bottom line
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a medication that is FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and certain types of heart failure. In clinical trials, people taking Farxiga lost an average of 5 lbs. Real-world data, however, suggest more weight loss may be possible.
Some people may notice weight loss from Farxiga within the first few days of starting it. Many people experience continued weight loss over the first 6 months of treatment. Farxiga doesn’t typically cause weight gain. But other factors, such as genetics or other medications you may take, can contribute to weight changes.
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References
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