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Concerning Dapagliflozin and weightloss

Resurgam

Resurgam

Master
Messages
10,294
Location
Dorset, on the south coast of England
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I started Dapagliflozin on 25th September 'to protect heart and kidneys' and have had to increase my intake of carbs as I was going wobbly mid afternoons but once I compensated for that I was feeling much better, but I noticed that I have not been eating as much and also that I have been losing weight.

Having tried to eat less in the past and just felt dismal and weak I am surprised at the reduction in appetite, but I am also seeing quite a drastic loss in weight.

I can't bring myself to get an actual weight - I think that I have been through too much trauma for not losing weight when other people were directing how I ought to eat, but I can set my scales to read one Kg when I step on them, but I have needed to reset them three times over the last fortnight - so I have lost at least 3Kg in 2 weeks.
I believe that is rather more than the suggested normal effect of the tablets.

There seems to be a big push to put diabetics on Dapagliflozin at the moment, so I wondered if anyone else has noticed weight loss to any great extent.

In the past I have struggled to lose weight except when eating low carb, and my weight and size have both reduced little by little since diagnosis, but I am wondering if the Dapagliflozin is somehow pushing the right buttons or overriding the settings I have struggled with all my adult life.
 
I have been on this for a week. I have noticed that I eat half what I normally would have. So I am expecting weight to come off.
Plus I have doubled the amount of bathroom visits.
I have heard that it's a cheaper drug for the NHS. No idea if this is true.
 
I have been on it for a good while.
It hasn't managed to bring my BG down but then I am eating very badly.
Despite eating far too many carbohydrates I seem to be losing a little weight.
Which I really don't want to.
I feel that my appetite is being suppressed if I am not indulging in bad things like bread and pies.
I am considering moving to Gliclazide as an alternative approach as more insulin may allow me to build a bit of fat and muscle. I am losing muscle as well.
 
I am currently discussing Dapagliflozin with my nurse. I eat very low carb (70-100 per day) and was told to increase the carbs whilst on this medication. I’m a self funded CGM
I find that so confusing…I’m given another medication to reduce blood sugar, but told to increase carbs which I know sends me upwards towards 16?..
I have a BMI of 23 so wouldn’t want to lose weight. How much has it reduced your blood sugar readings?
 
Diane60 said:
I am currently discussing Dapagliflozin with my nurse. I eat very low carb (70-100 per day) and was told to increase the carbs whilst on this medication. I’m a self funded CGM
I find that so confusing…I’m given another medication to reduce blood sugar, but told to increase carbs which I know sends me upwards towards 16?..
I have a BMI of 23 so wouldn’t want to lose weight. How much has it reduced your blood sugar readings?
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I was eating under 40gm a day and realised I would have to alter my ways, I have increased my carb intake to almost double that, but now eat more regularly, from one meal a day I am now having two plus a small amount at lunch time, though not large amounts by comparison with what I see other people eating. Milk in coffee seems to be a good idea now, rather than cream, but I was wondering if there is a lower dosage option as I have been feeling fine most of the time but running out of steam if I do anything requiring extra exertion. I did go wobbly at morris practice this week.

Having the means to test might help - I wonder if I might get something prescribed now, as funds do not run to purchasing what had become non essentials.
 
@Resurgam
Are you saying you have been prescribed Dapagliflozin despite having non-diabetes HbA1c and good diabetes control for a long time? Is the prescription of this medication intended to help with weight loss for you?
I ask this, because I am in a similar position, in that I have good control of BG , currently no meds for T2, only ever having had metformin in the past. I lost a lot of weight, but that was a long while ago, and I have more to lose, but it is not happening with low carbing. I am having annual review soon. Like yourself, I don’t want to be overmedicated. I have to have a lot of medications for other conditions, and as I have had my ‘three score years and ten’, am concerned about polypharmacy. I would prefer to drop as many meds as possible, rather than increase them, but willingnto consider all options.
So I am following your progress with interest.
 
Pipp said:
@Resurgam
Are you saying you have been prescribed Dapagliflozin despite having non-diabetes HbA1c and good diabetes control for a long time? Is the prescription of this medication intended to help with weight loss for you?
I ask this, because I am in a similar position, in that I have good control of BG , currently no meds for T2, only ever having had metformin in the past. I lost a lot of weight, but that was a long while ago, and I have more to lose, but it is not happening with low carbing. I am having annual review soon. Like yourself, I don’t want to be overmedicated. I have to have a lot of medications for other conditions, and as I have had my ‘three score years and ten’, am concerned about polypharmacy. I would prefer to drop as many meds as possible, rather than increase them, but willingnto consider all options.
So I am following your progress with interest.
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The prescription was sent before the annual blood test results arrived, as far as can work out as the surgery doesn't like to give out information since it became part of a group a couple of years ago now, so it is difficult to get access.

The policy does seem to be to put all type 2 diabetics on Dapagliflozin no matter how well they are doing, but I got no advice, or even a warning about Dapagliflozin and low carb eating. By making a series of adjustments, eating more carbs, spreading them through the day, not fasting for long periods, I feel fine most of the time, but I have to stick to the requirements, I can't decide to eat after morris practice because I'm running late or I go wobbly
 
Resurgam said:
The prescription was sent before the annual blood test results arrived, as far as can work out as the surgery doesn't like to give out information since it became part of a group a couple of years ago now, so it is difficult to get access.

The policy does seem to be to put all type 2 diabetics on Dapagliflozin no matter how well they are doing, but I got no advice, or even a warning about Dapagliflozin and low carb eating. By making a series of adjustments, eating more carbs, spreading them through the day, not fasting for long periods, I feel fine most of the time, but I have to stick to the requirements, I can't decide to eat after morris practice because I'm running late or I go wobbly
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Thanks @Resurgum
this link seems to confirm that there is a policy for prescribing Dapagliflozin more widely to people with T2

Major changes to type 2 diabetes treatment could save thousands of lives

www.nice.org.uk www.nice.org.uk
Could this be similar to the ‘statins for all’ policy that has been prevalent for a long time, I wonder? Not something I was aware of, and I am going to do some more reading, before I have my annual review. I would like to see what evidence there is to support this, particularly if the policy to prescribe is being rolled out, regardless of whether or not the HbA1c is below the threshold for diabetes, and there are no complications such as retinopathy, or neuropathy.
 
@Pipp I was told that the prescription would be sent to the pharmacy in a telephone call, which seems to be the way I am 'managed' these days - so when I read up on the medication I was doubtful as my previous diet only control could not be continued according to the information about Dapagliflozin.
I do tend to experiment so I tried the tablets and altered my carb intake over a few days - it did mean that I could eat some of the apples my trees provided this year.
I was promised a retest in 3 months - I might try to get my results then as a 'reward' for agreeing to take the tablets.
 
Resurgam said:
@Pipp I was told that the prescription would be sent to the pharmacy in a telephone call, which seems to be the way I am 'managed' these days - so when I read up on the medication I was doubtful as my previous diet only control could not be continued according to the information about Dapagliflozin.
I do tend to experiment so I tried the tablets and altered my carb intake over a few days - it did mean that I could eat some of the apples my trees provided this year.
I was promised a retest in 3 months - I might try to get my results then as a 'reward' for agreeing to take the tablets.
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Thanks @Resurgam .
If you don’t mind, please keep us updated on your progress.
I think we are of a similar age, and have similar approach to managing diet, but I have had to add in more carbs in form of dairy products, to manage osteopenia, so will be interested in seeking new ideas. Particularly as weight loss, stopped happening ages ago.
 
I've been taking dapagliflozin for a couple of years, it didn't help me lose weight (mounjaro is doing a good job of that now) and didn't have a very big impact on BG - again mounjaro has.

I understood when it was discussed with me that it was more to do with helping keep my kidneys safer. Fool that I am, I do quite like having an excuse to eat some carbs!
 
I had to go around to the clinic today about my thyroid tablets and saw one of the nurses who has been there a long time - I got talking to her and mentioned that I was taking Dapagliflozin. She asked what my blood glucose levels were and I explained that I have no way to check now - back when I saw her I was still checking. She got her tester and it was 10.7 mmol/l, which was rather higher than expected. I'd only had a small amount of milk in coffee then.

We were both rather puzzled, but she was rather concerned when I mentioned that last winter I was unwell with a series of viral infections and she asked if I'd like to have further tests done. I said it was early days and I was experiencing fairly significant weight loss, but I suspect that both of us were thinking that the viral infections, which included a definite Covid test could have changed something.

At the moment I am feeling perfectly OK - being 75 and still above ground is more than some people are granted, and there is a retest alert on my files for the beginning of December, which is not that far away now.
 
Pipp said:
Thanks @Resurgum
this link seems to confirm that there is a policy for prescribing Dapagliflozin more widely to people with T2

Major changes to type 2 diabetes treatment could save thousands of lives

www.nice.org.uk www.nice.org.uk
Could this be similar to the ‘statins for all’ policy that has been prevalent for a long time, I wonder? Not something I was aware of, and I am going to do some more reading, before I have my annual review. I would like to see what evidence there is to support this, particularly if the policy to prescribe is being rolled out, regardless of whether or not the HbA1c is below the threshold for diabetes, and there are no complications such as retinopathy, or neuropathy.
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If that is the case, for me I think I will pass. Why would they roll this out if people have good Hba1c, diet, exercise etc? Fair enough if its difficult to shift weight but I all seems a bit shady.
 
Lainie71 said:
If that is the case, for me I think I will pass. Why would they roll this out if people have good Hba1c, diet, exercise etc? Fair enough if its difficult to shift weight but I all seems a bit shady.
Click to expand...
I am inclined to wonder that, too. Though I will look at further research evidence, as it emerges.
 
I turned it down last month, they offered it quoting the link @Pipp posted. I have had to stop Metformin after 16 years of no problems I started a new medication for a condition unrelated to diabetes that I have no choice but to take and it has similar side effects to Metformin & I did become really poorly on both. Improved massively within a day of stopping the Met

My HbA1c went up slightly from 47 to 49, I haven’t totally ruled out taking the Dapagliflozin if I need it, but I’m not sure I can take it as it’s processed by the liver and I now can’t take anything that could affect the liver. But I’ve now got to eat low fat also so struggling a bit food wise so the Dapagliflozin might be an option if I have to up my carbs to satisfy me. But want to wait to speak to my hepatology consultant.
 
Interesting thread as when I went for my last review the DN, a new one I hadn't seen before, asked why I was taking insulin - as if I had decided to do it myself!! She put me on Dapagliflozin, though I was apprehensive after reading about all the potential side effects, and UTI's being common in 10% of cases! I was weaned off insulin over 3 weeks, and my blood sugars are more stable than before, but I use a CGM and the readings from sensor to sensor very unreliable. I changed to a new sensor on Sunday and already my average, with no diet change, is one whole unit higher (up from 6.8 to 7.8), and my time in range down from 100% to 89%! I prefer the CGM to finger-pricking, but wish it was more consistent when you change to a new sensor.
I have not changed my eating habits, but have lost 3.5 kgs in 6 weeks, probably due to peeing every hour now!
 
I do love this forum, probably the best way to educate yourself on what drugs you are being given. I was prescribed Dapagliflozin about 1 year ago. I had a review with what I thought was a diabetic nurse but it turns out he was more of a salesman. I was a bit hesitant but was told it was to protect my heart and kidneys and would help reduce my sugar as well.

I've not had any side effects (that I've noticed). I started off at 110 h1BAC in Jan 2023 (22 stone) and got myself down to 33 and 13.5 stone before the Dapagliflozin. I came off Metformin to see what would happen and relaxed a bit with the carbs. My last test result was 38 in June.

I wonder if the Dapagliflozin is helping me a lot? I don't seem to go to the toilet any more often than normal and I feel ok most of the time.
 
helenb1979 said:
I have been on this for a week. I have noticed that I eat half what I normally would have. So I am expecting weight to come off.
Plus I have doubled the amount of bathroom visits.
I have heard that it's a cheaper drug for the NHS. No idea if this is true.
Click to expand...
Yes it is cheaper! I’ve been on Empagliflozin for a long time, it suits me and I’m happy with it and suddenly GP changed it to Dapagliflozin! I was incensed, of course I googled it and found it is indeed a cheaper drug! The last thing I wanted was to change and find it caused me problems. Luckily I had a review with a nurse that knew me and I mentioned my concerns, she just changed it back.

I have lost loads of weight since diagnosis, the weight I’d gained was a lot due to heart drugs I was on, I reduced what I ate to the level that my family were complaining I wasn’t eating anything but the weight kept on rising!
But now I’m worried about losing too much, clothes I’d ‘grown out of’ have become too big!
I’m hoping I don’t lose any more.
I follow a low carb high protein diet, yes I do eat carbs and I can see the effect as I wear a Dexcom monitor. I do find it helpful. I have to buy them as I won’t get them on prescription but I hate pricking and so do my poor fingers.
 
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