Forxiga

[johnlp]

hi - I have just been prescribed forxiga to replace glicazide. has anyone out there had the same course of action prescribed? I am concerned that the GP has given me this at the age of 84 but the drug leaflet says do not use if over 75. Any views would be appreciated.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi @johnlp and welcome to the forum.

If you are concerned about any aspect of this prescribed drug then please discuss it with your G.P.
I am bumping your post up for a reply from members using this medication.

 

[chalup]

Hi I am 48 so I do not know anything about age related problems with this drug but I have been taking it for 4 months now. The first day I was in the bathroom every 20 minutes so it is important to note that lots and lots of water is important. I had a mild headache for 5 or 6 days as well that I believe was a combination of dehydration and blood sugars coming down rapidly. Forxiga works by preventing glucose from being reabsorbed into your bloodstream in your kidneys. Instead it flushes it out in your urine. I have not had any problems with thrush or UTI's but I am on a very low carb diet. The more glucose in your system, the more glucose in your urine, and glucose feeds yeast. If you are not eating lower carb you may have problems but not everyone does. I saw a noticeable drop in my blood sugars almost immediately. One thing I have noticed as I take it first thing in the morning is my urine has an extremely strong chemical smell which decreases over the course of the day. That said, my blood sugar is by far at it's highest first thing and hydration at its lowest. I hope this helps and if you are concerned about anything please talk to your doctor. This is just my experience and YMMV

 

[johnlp]

Many thanks for sharing your experience with this drug, Same problem with mild headache.

 

[EveryCloud]

I am OK with it. It makes my wee smell like toffee popcorn but other than that no issues... well apart from it not lowering my BG.

 

[johnlp]

thanks for your reply - must be useful to take before going to the cinema - no need to buy popcorn anymore!

 

[keithastro]

I was switched to Forxiga from Gliclazide in February 2016. The reason was was unexplained weight gain and consequently a rise in blood pressure and blood sugar. With Forxiga I have lost two stone (good) but the medics are scratching their heads because my blood sugar has continued to climb. I think I know the cause; Forxiga has made me thirsty and more prone to eating fruit, hence sugar. I've now modified my intake significantly and we'll see where things go from here. BTW, Forxiga causes constipation too, causing hard dry stools. Nonetheless, I would not go back to gliclazide.

 

[johnlp]

I too have dropped from 15 to 14st 4 but seems to stick there. My blood sugars are a bit higher (8 to 9) but I am on steroids inhaler for COPD. Many thanks for your reply.; I don't want to go back to Glicazide but you dId not say why you disliked it. Keep well.

 

[chalup]

Gliclazide causes weight gain because it causes more insulin to be released. If forxiga is causing constipation then an increase in water consumption should help. I am on forxiga and my issue is diarrhea (unrelated to forxiga). Metformin can also cause diarrhea. I would love it if the forxiga would swing me the other way a bit, some balance would be nice.

 

[Patsy B]

been on Forxiga for about a year and find it better than Glicllazide ..however gaining weigth probably due to having insulin as well as..

 

[Paulgoldie]

I have switched from gliclazide to forziga in the 2 months and take in conjunction with alogliptin and metformin.
I am pleased with switch as sugars are now always between 5 & 7 and I've lost over a stone whilst eating normally. By normally I mean not cutting out carbs completely but eating healthy meals which makes me satisfied and not wanting to go munch on biscuits, chocolate etc in between.
My concern though is I have suffered with thrush 2 or 3 times already since switching. So do I continue with forxiga and take the weight loss and controlled sugars and put up with the occasional bout of thrush?

 

[Liam1955]

@Paulgoldie - Hi . I took Forziga for a year, in the first 6 months it lowered my HBA1C from 82 to 64, brought my weight down by 1 stone 4lbs. But the next 6 months I suffered with repeated attacks of Thrush in my groin and repeated attacks of burning urine. GP gave on prescription a cream called Clotrimazole - which worked for the Thrush. Then after a year the drug got stopped by the Diabetologist. So, don't put up with the Thrush, go and show your GP it and get treatment.

 

[chalup]

I have been taking forxiga for 7 months without a single bout of thrush or UTI. I eat very low carb.

 

[Paulgoldie]

Thanks chalup. I've still been eating about 100g of carbs each day which could be the reason so I will be cutting this down from now on!

 

[chalup]

I eat about 20ish per day. Pretty much all of it in veggies with a bit from dairy and nuts.