Dapagliflozin being pushed on me

[sno0opy]

Hi all,

I hope all is well, It’s been a long time for me posting, i was very active for the first few years after diagnosis and then got into a routine so haven't been active here. I have recently been approached to add additional drugs to my prescription and I'm just looking for thoughts (as i think its odd).

Brief history for context:

Basic history I was 120kg HBA1C of 87+ at diagnosis in 2019 and got it down to 75kg – 80kg with a HBA1C of 31 – 33 ever since.

I was 34 at diagnosis and I was put on 1000mg metformin and basically told never to stop taking it by the hospital specialist (I was referred due to my relative young age). Any way that’s why I’m still taking metformin years on even given I don’t think its doing that much – but I don’t have side affects so I’m not that fussed.

Notwithstanding I know no one can give medical advise, im just interested in collective experience to balance out my decision making with this one.

I had a letter that from my Dr’s stating that Astra Zeneca were sponsoring a study and wanted to speak with me about control of diabetes. I took the call expecting advice but what I got was what really felt like a sales pitch for dapaglifozin.

The basic pitch was that it was good for heart health and lowers blood sugar so I should start taking it as I’m at high risk of heart failure as a diabetic. Apparently I fit into the bracket as my cholesterol in my last review was 0.1 above the target even with a HBA1C of 32 this time around.

It felt quite pressured on the call like i was buying double glazing, im acutely conscious that Astra Zeneca were the sponsor of the trial and own the brand the NHS uses. I wouldn’t say Im in any way a conspiracy theory type person, but it just does not feel right and I worry about taking extra drugs that I might not need.

What are people’s thoughts on Dapaglifozin meds, I feel I'm very well controlled as it is and Im not sure if any of the side effects of the drugs are common etc.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Hi @snoOopy I think it's worth pointing out that they cannot force you to take any drug. Thirteen years or so ago I was on the way to a diabetes clinic and I could see the hospital ahead of me. A car came out of a side road and damaged my passenger door. I was close to appointment time and had to park at level 7. On reaching the triage nurse she said "I'm just going to take your blood pressure" I politely told her not to bother, but she insisted. The consultant, because of my very poor kidney function, gave me a prescription for yet another hypertension drug. When I arrived home I burnt the prescription! I can't say anything about dapaglifozin as it is not in my experience, but if you are not happy, you do not have to oblige. I was also, like most on this forum, told that I run a higher risk of heart disease. My latest thorough information after a comprehensive battery of tests is that all my organs are in very good condition. Good luck!

 

[Rachox]

Credit where credit’s due @sno0opy , you’ve lost a shed load of weight and dramatically improved your HbA1c, very well done. These two factors will immediately help reduce your risk of heart disease
So was it a drug trial or was it a sales pitch, it’s certainly not clear from your description, I don’t think you’re sure either.
I have to say if I was in your position, I would want to talk to someone not associated with Astra Zenica just about the med not the trial. As @Grant_Vicat has said it’s entirely up to you what you put in your body. Do your homework and make an informed decision. Let us know how you get on.

Edit to correct sno0opy’s tag.

 

[alanj]

I have been on it for about 5 months now. Taking it at night I started to have lot of hypos had to adjust insulin, I switched to take it in morning so far no problems. I would advise you asked your GP/DN for leaflets that tells you about Dapagliflozin including side effects before you decide to take it.

 

[Wendyjoy]

I’ve been on it for months as my body did not react well to metformin.
It causes thrush which to be honest is better than what metformin did to me!

 

[alanj]

Wendyjoy

That's one of the side effects my D/N warned me about along with Ketoacidosis and Fourier's gangrene

 

[Phil42x]

Hi all,

I hope all is well, It’s been a long time for me posting, i was very active for the first few years after diagnosis and then got into a routine so haven't been active here. I have recently been approached to add additional drugs to my prescription and I'm just looking for thoughts (as i think its odd).

Brief history for context:

Basic history I was 120kg HBA1C of 87+ at diagnosis in 2019 and got it down to 75kg – 80kg with a HBA1C of 31 – 33 ever since.

I was 34 at diagnosis and I was put on 1000mg metformin and basically told never to stop taking it by the hospital specialist (I was referred due to my relative young age). Any way that’s why I’m still taking metformin years on even given I don’t think its doing that much – but I don’t have side affects so I’m not that fussed.

Notwithstanding I know no one can give medical advise, im just interested in collective experience to balance out my decision making with this one.

I had a letter that from my Dr’s stating that Astra Zeneca were sponsoring a study and wanted to speak with me about control of diabetes. I took the call expecting advice but what I got was what really felt like a sales pitch for dapaglifozin.

The basic pitch was that it was good for heart health and lowers blood sugar so I should start taking it as I’m at high risk of heart failure as a diabetic. Apparently I fit into the bracket as my cholesterol in my last review was 0.1 above the target even with a HBA1C of 32 this time around.

It felt quite pressured on the call like i was buying double glazing, im acutely conscious that Astra Zeneca were the sponsor of the trial and own the brand the NHS uses. I wouldn’t say Im in any way a conspiracy theory type person, but it just does not feel right and I worry about taking extra drugs that I might not need.

What are people’s thoughts on Dapaglifozin meds, I feel I'm very well controlled as it is and Im not sure if any of the side effects of the drugs are common etc.

I have been taking dapaglifozin for over a year and during that time I have had constant mouth sores and ulcers. I have stopped taking it and the mouth sores have gone, has anyone else experienced this side effect ?