Key takeaways
- Farxiga is a prescription oral tablet used to manage type 2 diabetes or certain heart or kidney conditions. It’s a brand-name drug with the active ingredient dapagliflozin.
- Farxiga tablets come in strengths of 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg. Your dosage will depend on factors such as the condition it’s being used to treat. To manage blood sugar, the starting dosage is 5 mg per day. But for heart failure and kidney disease, the starting dosage is 10 mg per day.
- Farxiga’s maximum recommended dosage is 10 mg per day.
Specifically, Farxiga is used to:
- manage blood sugar levels in adults and in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes
- lower the risk of complications from heart failure in certain adults with type 2 diabetes
- reduce the risk of certain complications from chronic kidney disease in adults
- lower the risk of cardiovascular death (such as a heart attack) or the need for emergency care or a hospital stay for heart failure in certain adults
Farxiga is usually taken once per day.
The active ingredient in Farxiga is dapagliflozin. Farxiga belongs to a group of drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
This article describes Farxiga’s dosage, including its strengths and how to take it.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Farxiga. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those mentioned here.
Note: For all uses, Farxiga’s maximum recommended dosage is 10 mg per day.
Farxiga forms
Farxiga comes as an oral tablet.
Farxiga strengths
Farxiga tablets come in two strengths:
- 5 milligrams (mg)
- 10 mg
Farxiga’s dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
If you’re taking Farxiga to help manage your blood sugar levels, your recommended starting dosage is 5 mg per day. Your doctor may increase your dosage to 10 mg per day if the starting dosage doesn’t lower your blood sugar levels enough.
If you have diabetes, Farxiga can also be used to lower the risk of certain problems from severe heart failure caused by heart or blood vessel conditions (or risk factors for these conditions). For this purpose, Farxiga’s typical starting dosage is 10 mg taken once per day. (If you don’t have diabetes but you’re taking Farxiga for heart failure, see “Dosage for heart failure.”)
If tests show that your kidney function is below a certain level, your doctor may not prescribe Farxiga for diabetes treatment.
Dosage for heart failure
Farxiga can be used to lower the risk of certain problems from severe heart failure caused by heart or blood vessel conditions (or risk factors for these conditions). If you don’t also have diabetes, your recommended Farxiga dosage is 10 mg taken once per day.
Dosage for chronic kidney disease
To lower the risk of certain complications from chronic kidney disease, the recommended dosage of Farxiga is 10 mg taken once per day.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor will monitor your kidney function throughout your Farxiga treatment, and they may adjust your dosage based on this. For details, see “What is the dosage of Farxiga for someone with renal impairment?” in the “Frequently asked questions” section.
Farxiga is used to help lower blood sugar levels in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. The dosage for children is the same as the dosage for adults. The starting dosage is 5 mg taken once per day. If this dosage isn’t lowering your child’s blood sugar enough, their doctor may increase their dosage to 10 mg taken once per day.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Farxiga’s dosage.
What is the dosage of Farxiga for someone with renal (kidney) impairment?
Your dosage of Farxiga will depend on your kidney function. While you’re taking Farxiga, your doctor will measure your kidney function by calculating your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This number is a measurement of how quickly your kidneys make urine.
If you have renal impairment (kidney damage), your dosage may be adjusted as shown in the following table.
| eGFR level | Farxiga dosage details |
|---|---|
| 45 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters (mL/min/1.73 m2) or higher | Your recommended dosage is 5 mg per day for managing blood sugar levels and 10 mg per day for other uses. (See “Dosage overview” for details.) |
| 25 to less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 | If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor won’t prescribe Farxiga. To lower the risk of heart failure, your recommended dosage is 10 mg per day. |
| less than 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 | Your doctor won’t have you start taking Farxiga. If you’re already taking Farxiga for heart failure or chronic kidney disease, your doctor may have you continue taking the recommended 10-mg per day dosage. |
Note: If you’re having dialysis (a treatment to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys no longer can), your doctor won’t prescribe Farxiga for you.
My doctor just raised my dose of Farxiga to 10 mg, but I still have some of the 5-mg tablets. Can I take two 5-mg tablets for my 10-mg dose?
It depends on whether your doctor says this is OK. First, check that your medication hasn’t expired. If your 5-mg tablets haven’t expired, ask your doctor whether you can use the 5-mg tablets until you get the 10-mg tablets from your pharmacy.
Also, you should not split a 10-mg tablet in half to use for a 5-mg dosage.
If you need to dispose of Farxiga tablets, this article has information about safe medication disposal.
The dosage of Farxiga you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Farxiga to treat
- your age
- the strength of Farxiga you’re taking
- your kidney function
You and your doctor will discuss these factors before you start taking Farxiga.
Farxiga comes as oral tablets that are taken once per day. You can take it with or without food.
It’s generally best to take Farxiga in the morning. This is because the drug can cause frequent urination, which can disturb your sleep.
You should swallow Farxiga tablets whole. Farxiga’s manufacturer does not give information on whether it is safe to split or crush the pills, so it is safer not to.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips.
Is Farxiga used long term?
Yes, Farxiga is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Farxiga is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.
If you miss a Farxiga dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, wait until the regular time that you take the medication. Do not take two doses at the same time.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Farxiga on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm, downloading a reminder app on your smartphone, or using a timer.
Do not take more Farxiga than your doctor prescribes. This can lead to serious side effects.
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Farxiga. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or you can use their online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.
