Forxiga

[Qualman10]

Hi all, I have recently been prescribed Forxiga.
Has anyone got any experience of taking this as the potential side effects are worrying to say the least!
My favoured exercise regime currently is cycling and there is a particular side effect that can, very nastily, affect the perineum. As cycling creates significantly greater pressures on this part of the body would I be at higher risk of being affected by this side effect?
Any advice or information will be appreciated.

 

[Oldvatr]

I assume you are referring to this (Fournier's gangrene)
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safe...ection-genital-area-sglt2-inhibitors-diabetes
It is a reported effect, and although it is rare that does not help anyone getting it. Obviously once aware, it is something you can, as it were, keep an eye on it. The cause does not seem to be identified, nor what measures to take to avoid it. I was offered this med and decided to refuse it for this very reason. I manage my diabetes control by other means since.

The other side effect you may be referring to is Thrush, which is an endemic risk of this type of medicine. In this case, the cause is obvious and is due to sugar excretion. Keep the area scrupulously clean and dry Perhaps use a barrier cream to avoid pruritus or urticaria.

This medicine increases urine output significantly, so you may be prompted to suddenly take avoiding action and enforce more pit stops than usual. It can be quite a demanding taskmaster in this respect, so I am told. You do end up peeing for your Country! I do not think pressure is a problem but surface friction may be.

 

[lessci]

I've been on Forxiga 10 mg for over 6 years with no problems, to avoid thrush, keep your carbs low (but not keto) and drink lots, at 1st you'll never be away from the loo, but your body gets used to being hydrated and I don't go any more often than "normal" folk (either that or I've got a bladder the size of a carthorse ) Usual fluid intake for me is 3-4 litres a day, and I've (touch wood) not had a single bout of thrush.

 

[Qualman10]

Hi guys, many thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions. However, I have consulted my doctor and we have decided not to start this medication at this time.
We will monitor my figures and see if I can reduce the pesky HbA1C by the required 0.6% by other means - diet and exercise

 

[toffeeman78]

Good info on keeping clean and dry. Just one problem for me - I have urinary incontinence, which as I am sure you are aware requires me wearing a pad all day and night that slowly fill with urine. Even the barrier creams / vaseline get washed away so ever visit to the toilet (which are frequent with Forxiga - and not necessarily at home) requires a reapplication. Not so much of a pain in the backside as a pain in the front side!!

 

[Oldvatr]

Since writing my post above, I have been put on Forxiga 10mg by my heart consultant. It is not for diabetes control, but it now turns my pee strips a darker shade of pale. But my blood sugars have increased slightly because they took me off Metformin at the same time. So the Forxiga at that dose is not as effective as Metformin it would seem. My past experience of being on Foriga also showed it did not give me any noticeable reduction of blood sugar then and nothing seems to have changed since then.

One thing has changed though. I fart a lot more than I have ever in my life before. Also my motions are changed and not as controllable as they used to be, I drink a lot more, and hence require the bathroom more frequently. The cat used to curl up on my lap for a sleep. Now he sleeps on my legs. But I am now getting my own back on him and we have pistols at dawn.