What is Dapagliflozin?
Blocks the reabsorption of sugar in the kidney, so glucose – and thus calories – are excreted in the urine. It also has a diuretic and mild blood-pressure-lowering effect.
How well studied is Dapagliflozin?
Large registration trials in type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease with proven benefits for heart and kidneys. Weight loss is moderate; in people with overweight but no diabetes, a meta-analysis found on average only about 1.4 kg versus placebo.
What side effects and risks does Dapagliflozin have?
Genital fungal infections and urinary tract infections, fluid loss with dizziness and drops in blood pressure. Rarely ketoacidosis (even with near-normal blood sugar, e.g. on very low-carb diets, fasting or around surgery) and Fournier's gangrene, a severe infection of the genital area.
Is Dapagliflozin approved in Germany?
In short: yes. Approved in the EU since 2012 and prescription-only, for type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease – not as a weight-loss drug. Medical supervision is needed when combined with other blood-pressure-lowering or diuretic drugs. Not on the WADA Prohibited List.
Sources
- EMA: Forxiga
- BfArM: Rote-Hand-Brief SGLT2-Hemmer (2019)
- Meta-Analyse SGLT2-Hemmer ohne Diabetes (2021)
Note: We deliberately do not list any doses here. For approved medicines, your doctor sets the dose; for unapproved substances there is no reliable information.