dapagliflozin as dual benefit for diabetes & heart

[JohnWat]

Hi,

type 2 and last Hba1c was 49. Just seen cardiac consultant about heart rhythm and she seemed surprised that GP had not offered me dapagliflozin. I had not heard of this drug & I am not keen on more meds and as Hba1c not terrible is seems the benefit will be to my heart. Is anyone on the drug to help both diabetes and their heart?

 

[LiSwati]

Hello John. I am Type 2 (aged 57). I’ve been on Dapagliflozin 10mg/day for almost a year now. It was prescribed to me in support of my kidneys, as it helped reduce my Metformin from 1000mg/day to 500mg/day, with a possibility of coming off Metformin altogether soon.

My kidney health has since improved, my BG is stable, and I haven’t experienced side effects. Besides it being quite expensive, I am very happy with it. If you are just starting on Dapagliflozin, monitor you BG, as your readings will likely come down to a point where you may need to adjust your Meds (as I did with my Metformin).

 

[LiSwati]

Hello John. I am Type 2 (aged 57). I’ve been on Dapagliflozin 10mg/day for almost a year now. It was prescribed to me in support of my kidneys, as it helped reduce my Metformin from 1000mg/day to 500mg/day, with a possibility of coming off Metformin altogether soon.

My kidney health has since improved, my BG is stable, and I haven’t experienced side effects. Besides it being quite expensive, I am very happy with it. If you are just starting on Dapagliflozin, monitor you BG, as your readings will likely come down to a point where you may need to adjust your Meds (as I did with my Metformin).

Please know that I cannot advise you what to do, particularly when is comes to medication. That’s between you and your doctor. We can only share our own experience, which members may choose to consider.

I have personally improved my diabetes knowledge from this Forum and remain grateful for the people who made it possible. There is an enormous worth of experience between all members, from which I personally benefited. I joined 2 years ago when I was diagnosed Type 2, and this Forum is the best source of ‘real life’ experiences for me.

Coming back to Dapagliflozin, it did help lower my BG levels to a point where I was able to reduce my Metformin; however, what I forgot to mention, is the fact that it was not only Dapagliflozin that helped do this, it was my entire lifestyle change that made it possible.

I follow a 16/8 Intermittent Fasting, Low Carb, High Fat & Zero Seed Oil lifestyle, with 2-3 Lt of water per day, and it’s this lifestyle I attribute most to my BG success. But I must reiterate, do not try this lifestyle without first consulting your doctor, as we are all uniquely different.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Interesting.
I hadn't considered that Dap could lead to reducing Metformin.
I will discuss this at my upcoming annual review.
Kidney health could be a good pointer as well.

 

[JohnWat]

Please know that I cannot advise you what to do, particularly when is comes to medication. That’s between you and your doctor. We can only share our own experience, which members may choose to consider.

I have personally improved my diabetes knowledge from this Forum and remain grateful for the people who made it possible. There is an enormous worth of experience between all members, from which I personally benefited. I joined 2 years ago when I was diagnosed Type 2, and this Forum is the best source of ‘real life’ experiences for me.

Coming back to Dapagliflozin, it did help lower my BG levels to a point where I was able to reduce my Metformin; however, what I forgot to mention, is the fact that it was not only Dapagliflozin that helped do this, it was my entire lifestyle change that made it possible.

I follow a 16/8 Intermittent Fasting, Low Carb, High Fat & Zero Seed Oil lifestyle, with 2-3 Lt of water per day, and it’s this lifestyle I attribute most to my BG success. But I must reiterate, do not try this lifestyle without first consulting your doctor, as we are all uniquely different.

Thanks for the reply.
Good that you have reduced metformin and your lifestyle changes are a good way to go. So in your case Dapagliflozin has dual benefit on BG & kidneys. My kidneys seem OK so my dual benefit would be on BG & heart. It seems to be a drug that has a few useful actions.

I have a review of my diabetes once or twice (cant remember) a year but Dapagliflozin has never been mentioned. Will see if consultants letter sparks some action at GPs !

 

[LiSwati]

Kidney health could be a good pointer as well.

My kidney specialist (who is a cardiologist) put me on Dapagliflozin as a more kidney-friendly drug to Metformin. I am not sure what else is does but my BG levels are good, and my kidney health is improving.