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?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.