dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
SGLT2 inhibitor plus DPP-4 inhibitor
Food
May be taken with or without food; swallow the tablet whole
Urine glucose
Glucose in urine is expected because of dapagliflozin's action
What is dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride used for?
Licensed for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
To improve glycaemic control when metformin and/or a sulphonylurea with either dapagliflozin or saxagliptin has not provided adequate control.
To replace dapagliflozin and saxagliptin already taken as separate tablets.
The fixed combination is not licensed for type 1 diabetes, heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
How does dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride work?
Dapagliflozin blocks SGLT2 in the kidneys, causing excess glucose to leave through urine. Saxagliptin blocks DPP-4, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release and reducing glucagon.
dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg + 10 mg
How to take dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride
Follow the prescriber's directions. Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water, with or without food. Continue the diet, activity and glucose-monitoring advice provided by the diabetes team.
Contact the clinical team if vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or poor fluid intake creates a dehydration risk.
Tell surgical or hospital teams that you take an SGLT2-containing treatment.
dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cold, sore throat or other upper respiratory infection
- Urinary tract infection or genital thrush
- Passing urine more often
- Headache, dizziness or tiredness
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort, indigestion, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Back, muscle or joint pain
- Rash
- Low blood glucose, particularly with a sulphonylurea
Get urgent medical advice
- Diabetic ketoacidosis, sometimes without markedly high blood glucose
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- Pancreatitis
- Severe urinary infection, dehydration or marked low blood pressure
- Fournier's gangrene
- Blistering or eroded skin suggesting bullous pemphigoid
dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride in pregnancy
The combination should not be used during pregnancy. Contact the prescriber promptly when planning pregnancy or after becoming pregnant so diabetes treatment can be reviewed; do not leave diabetes untreated.
dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The combination should not be used while breastfeeding because a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss an alternative with the diabetes or maternity team.
dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal treatments with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Sulphonylureas, such as gliclazide or glimepiride
May increase the risk of low blood glucose.
Thiazide or loop diuretics
May increase dehydration and low-blood-pressure risk.
Potent CYP3A4/5 inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and dexamethasone
May reduce saxagliptin exposure and glucose-lowering effectiveness.
Common questions about dapagliflozin + saxagliptin hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why does urine test positive for glucose?
Dapagliflozin deliberately causes glucose to leave through urine. A positive result is expected and does not by itself show worsening control.
Can it cause low blood glucose?
The risk is particularly important when combined with a sulphonylurea or another treatment that can cause hypoglycaemia.
Why are kidney tests needed?
Kidney function affects dapagliflozin's glucose-lowering effect and the suitability of the fixed combination.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.