Type 2 Forxiga (dapagliflozin)

[RevKJ]

Hello!

I have been type 2 now for about 8 years, with generally good control. I’ve lost about four stone over that time (slow and steady!) and am now following Slimming World to try and lose some more. I’m still hovering around 17stone though.

Over the last year I seem to have lost control though. As it is has been gradual the GP and DN feel this is due to my pancreas becoming less efficient. So, even though the metformin increased to 4 x 500mg tablets a day, I still ended up with a Hba1c of 9.1 (sorry, still work in old money).

So they have put me onto 10mg of dapagliflozin a day too. Now, I’ve only been on this for a week, but boy am I struggling with this. I can handle the peeing but I now have thrush in my throat and on the nether region. Lower back pain too. They tell me my kidneys are fine (so is my liver and cholesterol). I am prone to thrush though anyway. Don’t much like the dry mouth either.

I’ve read a bit about this new "wonder drug." Most people seem to say it’s the bees knees on open forums, but I don’t trust their independence (call me a sceptic).

Has anyone here got experience of this drug? How long did the side effects last? Did it help?

I have not felt this lousy in years and am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Thanks

 

[catherinecherub]

I'll bump your post up @RevKJ as there are other members who use this medication.
There are mixed reviews about it.
Considering how it is affecting you then why don't you go back to your G.P. and tell him how you feel.

 

[RevKJ]

Thank you catherinecherub.

I have picked up some thrush meds from the doctor and will persevere for a bit longer. Just looking to see how long it takes to settle down.

 

[chocoholicnomore]

I'm on a similar drug, canagliflozin. My only side effect is the thrush. I've been on the medication just over a month now and feels like I'm at the doctor every other week to treat the thrush. I've had the pessaries, the cream, the one dose tablet and a fortnight ago I was given a lower dose of thrush medication to be taken once a day for a fortnight. It didn't help in the least. I stopped taking the canagliflozin last Saturday as I really feel I need a break from the thrush. It's all cleared up now but sugar levels are slowly rising. I feel I'm jumping between the frying pan and the fire! I'm going to try going back on it again this weekend and hope that my body has had a chance to recover and things might be better. Fingers crossed

Sent from my D2403 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

 

[RevKJ]

Thanks Chocoholicnomore.

I've not seen a reduction in my blood sugar yet but it might be an accumulative effect.

It's wearing me down really and I'm worried the next step is insulin.

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Like you I've been diabetic for a while and my Hba1c is slowly increasing. I know I've become complacent but find it's not as easy to get it back under control as it used to be and, like you, I'm worried about the next step. This tablet reduced my sugar levels pretty quickly though and I was impressed with it in the beginning.....until I couldn't get rid of the thrush. I want to persevere with it though as it's better than going on insulin. My nurse reckons that I'm probably eating too many carbs which is making the thrush worse as the tablet works by causing you to pee the excess carbs which in turn creates a good breeding area for thrush. So, I'm going to try cutting back my carbs when I go back on it. My problem though is the willpower..... I need a large bottle of it too!

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[chrishopkinsd]

Hi,

It looks as if your following me with the dapagliflozin. I had a time when my control was not good. My medication increased to the max, and as a last resort went onto (over the last year) dapagliflozin. This created a lot of issues with me. It clears sugar out of your body. I've had far to many medical issues, including ( the side effect of ) thrush. But I could not keep weight on. I've lost approx 4 stone over about 3 1/2 years. It did not matter what I ate, even confirming my eating habits with the diabetic diet people in the hospital over a year ago. My body became weak and I was regularly unwell. I was then referred to the hospital by the GP.
After seeing the specialist (2 months ago approx) at the hospital, my medication has now changed. I now don't take dapagliflozin or gliclazide. I think I'm now putting weight on. Keep an eye on your weight loss with this tablet!!
When at the hospital, the specialist diabetic nurse said to me that the GP diabetic nurse's aren't kept right up to date with diabetic info. Ask for a referral to the hospital specialist for better info for yourself.
Good luck.

 

[Liam1955]

@RevKJ - Hi. I was on Dapagliflozin for 1 year from last May (2015) until this May when I was told by Diabetologist at the Hospital to stop it. It worked wonders for my HBA1C reducing it from 82 to 56, kept my Blood Sugars within range, helped me lose weight. BUT...... I suffered terribly with Thrush in my groin and Burning Urine several times over the year, each time the tablet had to be stopped for a week to 2 weeks and I would have to use a cream which I got on prescription from my GP for the thrush in my groin. (Never got it on my man bits though!) My GP did point out to me before starting this tablet, if I got burning urine, thrush or lower backache I was to stop taking it immediately. (I don't know about the backache as I already suffer with Arthritis of the Spine and have to herniated Disc's) I know of it others on this forum who take Canagliflozin (a simular drug) and they have suffered too some terrible side effects like mine. I have only been off this tablet 1 month and my blood sugars have increased and put on half a stone in weight.

 

[chocoholicnomore]

I was wondering if I could take it one week off and one week on. Anyone any thoughts on this?

Sent from my D2403 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

 

[ickihun]

Hi @RevKJ
I too couldnt take the incessant thrush. I stopped this tablet then after a month restarted it by taking it in bits. I cut it up. It seemed to take longer before the side effects kicked in. I had bloating and a blockage one day on it, as well as thrush. I threw it in the bin.
Now.
I've recently received a text message from my diabetic unit at the hospital to contact them if I have any concerns.
Then I received a letter from my gp practice warning of ketoacidosis on canagliflozin.
I've read the US have banned this drug.
I won't be taking it again.
I've suffered with bad thrush since being 6yr old so psychologically I cannot cope with thrush. The specialist was made aware of that when he prescribed me this drug. He asked me to try it.
I can honestly say........ I tried my best.

 

[ickihun]

@chocoholicnomore my dn suggested one tablet every other day. I was taking the 100mg tablet. There is a 300mg tablet too.
God knows what that tablet would do to us?

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Thanks @ickihun. I'll try that. Did it work for you? It would be a wonder pill if only it wasn't for the thrush!

Sent from my D2403 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

 

[RevKJ]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your posts. It does seem to bring down the blood sugars by making you pee it out, causing thrush. I've got one or two other things going on since being on it but they seem to be settling down.
I've also lost some weight but that might also be due to my diet (Slimming World).
I have found your comments helpful but so far no one seems sold out out on this drug
Has anyone had a totally positive experience with it?
Really appreciate all the responses though - I'm not alone anymore

 

[gary 196]

Hello!

I have been type 2 now for about 8 years, with generally good control. I’ve lost about four stone over that time (slow and steady!) and am now following Slimming World to try and lose some more. I’m still hovering around 17stone though.

Over the last year I seem to have lost control though. As it is has been gradual the GP and DN feel this is due to my pancreas becoming less efficient. So, even though the metformin increased to 4 x 500mg tablets a day, I still ended up with a Hba1c of 9.1 (sorry, still work in old money).

So they have put me onto 10mg of dapagliflozin a day too. Now, I’ve only been on this for a week, but boy am I struggling with this. I can handle the peeing but I now have thrush in my throat and on the nether region. Lower back pain too. They tell me my kidneys are fine (so is my liver and cholesterol). I am prone to thrush though anyway. Don’t much like the dry mouth either.

I’ve read a bit about this new "wonder drug." Most people seem to say it’s the bees knees on open forums, but I don’t trust their independence (call me a sceptic).

Has anyone here got experience of this drug? How long did the side effects last? Did it help?

I have not felt this lousy in years and am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Thanks

Hi I was on forxiga for about 6months got a yeast infection which lead to balantitis good blood sugars but side effects made me come of it Dr is now trying me on pliogitizone I fell I am heading towards insulin as I am struggling to find a tablet that works.

 

[ickihun]

Hi I was on forxiga for about 6months got a yeast infection which lead to balantitis good blood sugars but side effects made me come of it Dr is now trying me on pliogitizone I fell I am heading towards insulin as I am struggling to find a tablet that works.

@gary 196 I take insulin as well as tablets. Insulin protects your beta cells in your pancreas so don't fear it too much. It makes me feel normal. I take tablets as well so I don't have to take so much insulin and gain weight.
Today I feel ok being on insulin as at least it stops damage. I want to see my kids/grandkids grow up.

 

[RevKJ]

Sorry for the silence, been busy.
Today my GP took me off this drug as I am not tolerating the side effects well. The constant thrush is a pain but I've had episodes of low BP due to reduced blood volumes. Made me feel terrible really, sluggish and tired.
So after a few days break to get it out of the system he's trying anagliptin. Hope this does the trick although not filled with confidence.

 

[ickihun]

I too have been taken off canagliflozin and back on metformin. Insulin to support beta cells.

 

[Liam1955]

@RevKJ - I was on it a year and suffered bad bouts of thrush and burning urine. My posting is 5 weeks ago - 10 posts back.

 

[ickihun]

@RevKJ - I was on it a year and suffered bad bouts of thrush and burning urine. My posting is 5 weeks ago - 10 posts back.

The things we suffer because of diabetes but we kick it to the curb regardless.
As one poster cries "onwards and upwards". I'm just thankful i have insulin to support me.

 

[imintroublenow]

Hello!

I have been type 2 now for about 8 years, with generally good control. I’ve lost about four stone over that time (slow and steady!) and am now following Slimming World to try and lose some more. I’m still hovering around 17stone though.

Over the last year I seem to have lost control though. As it is has been gradual the GP and DN feel this is due to my pancreas becoming less efficient. So, even though the metformin increased to 4 x 500mg tablets a day, I still ended up with a Hba1c of 9.1 (sorry, still work in old money).

So they have put me onto 10mg of dapagliflozin a day too. Now, I’ve only been on this for a week, but boy am I struggling with this. I can handle the peeing but I now have thrush in my throat and on the nether region. Lower back pain too. They tell me my kidneys are fine (so is my liver and cholesterol). I am prone to thrush though anyway. Don’t much like the dry mouth either.

I’ve read a bit about this new "wonder drug." Most people seem to say it’s the bees knees on open forums, but I don’t trust their independence (call me a sceptic).

Has anyone here got experience of this drug? How long did the side effects last? Did it help?

I have not felt this lousy in years and am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Thanks

I was prescribed this medication about 4 months ago . I decided to read the info sheet, and it stated the upper age for takeing this meds was 75, im 70. It also stated that i might have symptoms like you describe, in fact my doctor also stated this face. Due to my age, and the fact that I have an enlarged prostate, I decided NOT to take this medication, because the last thing I needed was to be getting up more than the 4/5 times to go to the toilet, that I do now.
I decided to do something about it myself. I cut out all sugary things, cake, biscuits, ice cream, chocolate, and in the last 12 days have lost about 8 lbs in weight, and more importantly, only have to get up once per night, and my sugar readings are around 6 in the morning and 5-7 at night. wheras before they were 9 in the morning and 15 at night. Hope this help you.