Dapagliflozin is a potent anti-diabetic treatment used to reduce blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. It may be used on its own or along with other anti-diabetic medications; in both cases results will be further enhanced when diet and exercise are also incorporated into treatment.

Patients usually buy dapagliflozin under its more widely-recognized brand names Forxiga or Farxiga.

It is also possible to buy dapagliflozin in combination products, containing two anti-diabetic medications in a single tablet. Dapagliflozin combined with metformin is sold as Xigduo XR, while dapagliflozin combined with saxagliptin is sold as Qtern. Effects are the same if the products are administered individually rather than in a single tablet; combination tablets simply offer convenience.

Patients should not buy dapagliflozin to treat type 1 diabetes. This medication should also not be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

What to Expect from Treatment

Treatment should begin with an evaluation of kidney function; diabetes alone puts kidneys at risk of damage, and as most medications are filtered through the kidney, treatment with most medications can increase this risk. Regular checkups to monitor kidney function---as well as for other developing side effects---are also advisable for the duration of treatment with this or any diabetes medication.

The level of kidney damage---if present at all---can have a significant effect on dosage, as can other medications and other medical conditions present.

Once dosage is determined treatment is straightforward:

• Patients who are at increased risk of complications typically take 5 mg per day.
• Otherwise healthy patients usually take 10 mg per day.
• Tablets are taken once per day, usually in the morning, with or without food as desired.
• Tablets should be taken at the same time each day.
• There should be at least 12 hours between doses; if a dose is forgotten and there's fewer than 12 hours before the next dose, the forgotten dose should just be skipped entirely.

It may take several weeks of regular treatment for full benefit to be seen; blood glucose should be monitored closely at the start of treatment and following any dosage adjustments.

Treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit, which may be for the remainder of life if lifestyle changes are unable to address the underlying issue.

Benefits & Drawbacks

In addition to being a powerful ally in the battle against diabetes, the medication offers a number of conveniences:

• Administered via tablet---no needles or injections
• Easy to carry and take discreetly
• Once-a-day administration
• Can be taken with or without food as desired
• Unlikely to produce hypoglycemia

Of course, like any medication, dapagliflozin has its drawbacks. Because of the way it works---increasing the excretion of glucose in urine---several related side effects can develop:

• More frequent urination
• Dehydration
• Urinary tract infections
• Yeast infections

In a nutshell, the expulsion of glucose causes increased urination and there will be a lot of glucose in the urine. Increased urination means the body will be losing more water than usual, resulting in dehydration if not compensated for---and, among other unpleasant side effects, dehydration even further increases risk of kidney damage. Increased glucose in the urine puts patients at increased risk of urinary tract or yeast infections. All of these risks will be mitigated to some extent by ensuring proper hydration.

If the increased urination becomes disruptive to sleep, taking tablets in the morning may help.

Better Health is Our Business

Online since 2005, Kiwi Drug is New Zealand's oldest online pharmacy. Our mission has always been to provide affordable, hassle-free access to the medications our clients need to maintain a high quality of life. Dapagliflozin is certainly one such medication, with a proven track record of helping patients slow or even halt the progression of type 2 diabetes, thus preventing the development of life-altering complications.

Patients will need a prescription to buy dapagliflozin. If you don't have one, our online doctor may be able to issue one; simply begin checkout and answer the questions about your medical history and other medications being taken.

Clients who have an external prescription to buy dapagliflozin will be provided with information to transfer it to us upon completing checkout.

We're always happy to hear from you if you have any questions or need assistance with your order!