Dapagliflozin, often known by the brand name Farxiga, is a prescription medication used to treat several serious health conditions. While its initial approval was for managing high blood sugar in adults with Type 2 Diabetes, it has since been recognized for broader benefits in heart and kidney health. A frequently reported secondary effect for patients taking this drug is a reduction in body weight. This weight change is a direct result of the medication’s unique action within the body, which creates a slight but sustained calorie deficit.
How Dapagliflozin Causes Calorie Loss
The weight loss associated with this medication stems from its specific mechanism of action within the kidneys. Dapagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors, which target the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 protein. This protein is responsible for reabsorbing about 90% of the glucose filtered by the kidneys, returning it back into the bloodstream.
By inhibiting this protein, dapagliflozin prevents the kidneys from fully reclaiming the glucose. This causes the excess sugar to be flushed out of the body through the urine, a process known as glucosuria. Glucose is a source of energy, and its removal represents a daily loss of calories, which generates a net negative energy balance. This continuous excretion of calories drives the weight reduction effect. The medication’s action also leads to a small osmotic diuretic effect, increasing water and salt excretion, contributing to an initial, rapid loss of fluid weight.
Clinical Expectations for Weight Reduction
The amount of weight a person can lose with dapagliflozin is modest and varies between individuals. Clinical trials indicate that patients typically experience an average weight reduction ranging from 1% to 3% of their initial body weight. In absolute terms, this translates to a sustained loss of approximately 2 to 3 kilograms (about 4.4 to 6.6 pounds) over the first few months of treatment.
The weight loss tends to stabilize after about six months as the body adapts to the medication’s effect. Studies have shown that this reduction involves beneficial changes in body composition. The weight loss is primarily attributed to a decrease in fat mass and the initial fluid loss, rather than a reduction in lean muscle mass. The weight reduction occurs regardless of whether the drug is used to manage blood sugar or for its heart and kidney benefits, as it is a consequence of the caloric loss mechanism.
Primary Therapeutic Uses
While weight loss is a welcome side effect, dapagliflozin is a prescription drug indicated for the treatment of several serious chronic diseases. Its first and most common use is as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The ability to lower blood glucose independent of insulin action makes it a valuable tool in diabetes management.
Beyond diabetes, the medication has a role in cardiology and nephrology. It is approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with heart failure. This benefit extends to patients both with and without Type 2 Diabetes. Additionally, dapagliflozin is used to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults at risk of disease advancement, helping to preserve kidney function over time.
Important Safety Information
There is important safety information patients must be aware of when taking dapagliflozin. Due to the presence of increased glucose in the urine, a common side effect is an elevated risk of genital mycotic infections, such as yeast infections in both women and men. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are also reported more frequently in patients using this class of drug.
The medication can cause dehydration, or volume depletion, because it promotes the excretion of water and salt through the kidneys. Patients may experience symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness, particularly when standing up quickly. This risk can be managed by maintaining adequate fluid intake. A rare but serious complication is euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a buildup of dangerous acid levels in the blood. DKA can occur even when blood sugar levels are only mildly elevated or close to normal, requiring immediate medical attention if symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or a fruity odor on the breath occur.