How effective is empagliflozin?

I’m on dapagliflozin (Forxiga) which I think is similar? If I forget to take one it doesn’t affect my BG straight away so just missing one day doesn’t change my result. I haven’t missed more than one day though but I’m sure I’d see a rise if I didn’t take it even though I try and keep a check on my carbs.

My understanding is dapagliflozin makes kidneys work harder... I've forgotten mine before on the odd day and don't see an instant rise.
I'm on rybelsus 14mg as well as well at metformin 2g 4 x tabs a day ..

While some medicines have quite immediate effect, they also build up in your body over time. The amount of time it takes for medicine to fully clear from your body once stopped depends on its half-life (how many hours for the medicine to clear to half of starting volume). For dapagliflozin, for example, half-life is 12 hours, which means it would take something like 4 days for the medicine to fully clear your body if you completely stop it. This will explain why you might not see a massive impact if you miss a dose.

MissMuffett said:

I’m on dapagliflozin (Forxiga) which I think is similar? If I forget to take one it doesn’t affect my BG straight away so just missing one day doesn’t change my result. I haven’t missed more than one day though but I’m sure I’d see a rise if I didn’t take it even though I try and keep a check on my carbs.

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I did exactly that yesterday I have issues with object permanence and if I don't put the new strip in my pill tupperware that sits beside my settee as soon as I've taken the last one it can be hit and miss if I realise it's not there the next day

Baldy1100 said:

My understanding is dapagliflozin makes kidneys work harder... I've forgotten mine before on the odd day and don't see an instant rise.
I'm on rybelsus 14mg as well as well at metformin 2g 4 x tabs a day ..

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I would question the use of metformin with your diabetes nurse/doctor. Metformin ‘stopped working’ for me that’s why I was put on Sitagliptin then added empagliflozin - just changed this month to dapagliflozin (sorry spelling etc) - I’m also on Rybelsus 14mg and this is the first time (last 3 months) that my daily blood has been below 10mmol - it’s been 20-26mmol for 4+ years!! #StayWell

TheSecretCarbAddict said:

While some medicines have quite immediate effect, they also build up in your body over time. The amount of time it takes for medicine to fully clear from your body once stopped depends on its half-life (how many hours for the medicine to clear to half of starting volume). For dapagliflozin, for example, half-life is 12 hours, which means it would take something like 4 days for the medicine to fully clear your body if you completely stop it. This will explain why you might not see a massive impact if you miss a dose.

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I have recently stopped dapagliflozin because I am going into hospital for minor surgery under GA.
The guidance from the hospital is to stop Dap 4 days before the procedure, which ties in with your clearance figures.
I think I can see a noticeable difference when I stop Dap.
Last time I was in hospital (few weeks ago) they were testing me and seeing way higher BG readings than I expected.

Baldy1100 said:

My understanding is dapagliflozin makes kidneys work harder.

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My understanding is that Dap is beneficial for kidneys because they don't have to filter out then reabsorb the glucose from your blood. Your kidneys just dump the glucose into your bladder.

I was wondering if I was over medicating, but this suggests probably not.