Like most drugs, Farxiga may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the side effects that Farxiga may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Farxiga. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Below is a list of some of the more common mild side effects that Farxiga can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Farxiga’s medication guide.
Mild side effects of Farxiga that have been reported include:
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Farxiga can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Farxiga, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Farxiga that have been reported include:
* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.
Side effect focus
Learn more about some of the side effects Farxiga may cause.
Yeast infection
You may have an increased risk of getting genital yeast infections while taking Farxiga. The medication increases the amount of sugar in your urine. This can lead to an overgrowth of yeast in your genital area.
Genital yeast infections are one of Farxiga’s most common side effects.
Symptoms of genital yeast infections in females* may include:
- thick, white, vaginal discharge, which usually doesn’t have a smell
- irritation, burning, itching, or soreness in and around the vagina
- burning, stinging, or soreness during sex or urination
Symptoms of genital yeast infections in males* can include:
- thick, white discharge from the penis
- redness, irritation, and burning around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- trouble pulling back the foreskin
- an unpleasant smell from the penis
With Farxiga treatment, genital yeast infections are more common in females than in males. You’re more likely to get a genital yeast infection with Farxiga if you’ve had one in the past.
* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
What might help
To help prevent genital yeast infections while you’re taking Farxiga, it may help to:
- wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or silk
- avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear, pants, tights, or leggings
- eat yogurt or take supplements with lactobacillus
If you have symptoms of a genital yeast infection, contact your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend a suitable treatment.
Over-the-counter treatments include:
- clotrimazole cream
- clotrimazole vaginal cream (Trivagizole)
- miconazole cream or vaginal suppositories (Monistat)
Prescription treatments include:
- butoconazole vaginal cream (Gynazole-1)
- fluconazole tablet (Diflucan)
- terconazole cream or vaginal suppositories
If your symptoms haven’t cleared up after a week, contact your doctor. You may need a different medication. If you frequently get yeast infections, talk with your doctor about taking medication to help prevent them.
Constipation
You may have constipation while taking Farxiga. This is because the medication increases urination, so your body pulls more water from your bowels to make up for the fluid loss. This can cause your stools to become drier, harder, and more difficult to pass.
Constipation is one of the more common side effects of Farxiga.
Symptoms of constipation include:
What might help
To help prevent and treat constipation while taking Farxiga:
- drink plenty of water, which can also help prevent other side effects of Farxiga, such as:
- eat plenty of fiber
- get frequent exercise
If you have constipation that’s not helped by these methods, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend using an over-the-counter laxative. Examples include:
If you have constipation that lasts longer than 2 weeks, contact your doctor.
Dehydration, which can cause low blood pressure and kidney damage
Farxiga causes you to lose more sodium and water in your urine than usual. This can sometimes lead to dehydration, a condition in which your body loses too much fluid.
Dehydration can cause low blood pressure. It can also damage your kidneys and lead to acute (sudden) kidney failure. These side effects are rare with Farxiga.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can include feeling lightheaded or dizzy. This includes dizziness when you get up from sitting or lying down.
Symptoms of acute kidney failure can include:
You may have a higher risk of dehydration, low blood pressure, and kidney damage if you:
What might help
To help avoid these problems with Farxiga, it’s important to drink plenty of water. This is especially the case in hot weather, when exercising, or if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Talk with your doctor about how much water you should be drinking.
Tell your doctor right away if:
- you have vomiting or diarrhea, because you may be losing more fluid than usual
- you’re drinking less than usual (due to illness or fasting, for example)
- you have symptoms of low blood pressure or kidney failure
Your doctor can recommend what to do in these situations.
Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to Farxiga.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Farxiga. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
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