Farxiga is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug dapagliflozin. It belongs to a class of drugs called sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Farxiga is not available in a generic form.
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Doctors also prescribe Farxiga to reduce certain risks in people with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. Typically, Farxiga is used long term regardless of why it’s prescribed.
Farxiga is available as follows.
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths:
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Farxiga’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Farxiga, view this article.
Dosage summary
For details about the drug’s dosage, see the “Farxiga: Dosage” section below. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Farxiga that’s right for your condition.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Farxiga, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Farxiga. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Always follow the dosage of Farxiga that your doctor prescribes.
Commonly recommended dosages for Farxiga are shown below.
You should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
Farxiga’s form and strengths
Farxiga comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in two strengths: 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg.
Typical recommended dosages
The dosages for the approved uses of Farxiga are summarized in the table below. More information on dosages for each use is shown below the table.
| Purpose | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
| treating type 2 diabetes | 5 mg | 10 mg |
| reducing certain risks in people with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease | 10 mg | 10 mg |
For treating type 2 diabetes
When you start treatment for type 2 diabetes, your doctor will prescribe a low dosage of Farxiga. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time, if needed. Your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Farxiga that gives the desired outcome.
Farxiga is not approved to treat type 1 diabetes. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know about treatments for type 1 diabetes.
For reducing certain risks in people with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease
When Farxiga is used to reduce certain risks in people with type 2 diabetes, the starting and maximum dosages are the same.
The dosage for people with heart failure usually remains consistent throughout treatment. So, the starting and maximum dosages of Farxiga are the same for this use. (Farxiga is approved for reducing certain risks associated with heart failure that is NYHA class II, III, or IV.*)
When Farxiga is used for people with kidney disease, the starting and maximum dosages are also the same. In addition, Farxiga has recommended dosing instructions for this use in people who have certain renal (kidney) problems. To learn more, see the “Farxiga: Common questions about dosage” section below.
* NYHA refers to the New York Heart Association functional classification. Each of its four categories describes how much a person is limited with physical activity.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Farxiga as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Farxiga’s dosage.
Does Farxiga have recommended renal dosing?
Yes, Farxiga has recommended dosing instructions for people who have certain renal (kidney) problems. The body relies on the kidneys to get rid of Farxiga after taking a dose. So, specific dosing must be used in people who have kidney problems.
Your doctor can order certain lab tests to check how well your kidneys function. Based on the results, your doctor may prescribe a different dosage of Farxiga. They might even decide it isn’t safe for you to begin treatment with Farxiga.
If you do start Farxiga, your doctor will recheck your kidney function during your treatment. If your kidney function worsens during treatment, your doctor may keep you on the same dosage. They might also recommend stopping treatment.
If you’re on dialysis for your kidney problems, doctors won’t prescribe Farxiga. They can discuss safer treatment options for you.
To learn more about Farxiga’s recommended renal dosing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also check out the drug’s full prescribing information.
Are there dosing instructions for Farxiga?
Yes, Farxiga has dosing instructions. Drugs such as Farxiga are approved for certain uses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Part of this approval includes recommending certain dosages for these uses.
To view dosing instructions for Farxiga and each of its uses, see the table in the “Farxiga: Dosage” section above. You can also check out the drug’s full prescribing information.
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the dosage for Farxiga. These factors include:
- the condition you’re taking Farxiga to treat
- the severity of your condition, if you’ll be taking Farxiga to treat type 2 diabetes
Your prescribed dosage may also vary based on other medical conditions you have.
Recommended adjustments in dosage
Based on your kidney function, your doctor may prescribe a different dosage of Farxiga. They might even decide it isn’t safe for you to begin treatment with Farxiga.
If you’re on dialysis for your kidney problems, doctors won’t prescribe Farxiga. They can discuss safer treatment options for you.
If you’d like to know more about Farxiga dosage for people who have kidney problems, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Farxiga comes as a tablet. You’ll take it by mouth. Farxiga tablets may be taken with or without food.
The manufacturer of Farxiga hasn’t advised whether Farxiga tablets may be crushed, split, or chewed. If you have difficulty swallowing Farxiga tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to take this form of medication. Also, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about taking your medication.
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If it’s difficult for you to open medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can dispense Farxiga in an easy-open container. They also may recommend ways to help make it easier to open the bottles.
If you miss a dose of Farxiga, try to take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t take two doses of Farxiga at one time.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
For some drugs, taking more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not take more Farxiga than your doctor prescribes.
What to do if you take too much Farxiga
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Farxiga’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Farxiga that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Farxiga dosage without a recommendation from your doctor.
In addition to discussing Farxiga with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Farxiga. For comprehensive details on Farxiga, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Farxiga compares with Jardiance, read this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Farxiga, view this article.
- Details about type 2 diabetes. To learn more about type 2 diabetes, which Farxiga is used to treat, see this article.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
