Dapagliflozin warning, my experience with this drug

[Mikyman]

Dapagliflozin -a warning! I'm a new member and have been reading through the posts regarding type 2. Two years ago my then GP, put me on this new 'wonder drug' to try to control my diabetes. They were remiss in not carrying out regular blood tests in order to see how my body was reacting to it. After a year they said it's not working you need another medicine to go with it. It seems my body was adsorbing the glucose that the depa was meant to help it expel via kidneys and wee. GP didn't investigate. A month later I had a very serious swelling in a male area between my legs
Son took me to A&E as I couldn't walk. They took one look and said' its surgery for you'
I then spent 3 weeks in hospital having a total of 4 operations in that area, very painful. I had contracted Necrotising Faciliitis, a dangerous form of sepsis. the surgeon said if I had left it a week it would have eaten my insides.It was feeding on the sugers that Dapa should have expelled. After a grulling 6 months,with daily dressings by community nurses, during which the joke is that the the whole of the local nursing community saw my private parts, I am back and healthy again.
Moral of story, don't put too much faith in these medicines working, badger you GP for regular blood tests and if not happy with results challenge them. GP's will give you anything in the 10 mins you are allowed ,just to fob you off. I changed my GP to one who actually knows about diabetes.

 

[searley]

Not sure the issue is the dapa alone.. many of these drugs have limited effect in the long term and often need additional Meds

I also doubt the dapa was the cause if the infection but the increases sugar levels just helped feed it, and in theory this could happen on any medication if the BG is not controlled

I think the 'whole story' revolved around getting the correct medical care and tests.. as poorly controlled diabetes can cause many issues

 

[lovinglife]

Hi @Mikyman & welcome to the forum

Thank you for sharing your story @Mikyman I’ve no experience of the medication you were but it sounds horrendous what you went through but glad your back to full health again.

I agree we need to be proactive in looking after our own health and feel confident to challenge our HCPs in an appropriate manner if we don’t agree with something they are saying. I do feel for GPs & HCPs in this current climate they are under so much pressure and some can come across as “ticking the boxes” but I think in the main they do the best job they can for their patients, I’m glad you found a new GP you like and can work with in your diabetes

 

[Pat50D]

My diabetic nurse put me on Dapagliflozin. I was warned of the side effects including necrotising facilitis but told I would be peeing out sugars and that would benefit me. I became housebound because I needed to use the toilet so much. I didn't dare go anywhere as I was having so many 'accidents '. Needless to say I was quickly taken off the medication.