Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S

Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S belongs to a class of drugs called “hypoglycemics” (anti-diabetics, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) that are used to treat and prevent the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At times it can be used alongside insulin to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus as well.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, also known as, insulin-dependent diabetes, is an auto-immune response responsible for the loss of Beta calls in the pancreas leading to failure in production of adequate amounts of insulin. Etiology of the auto-immune response is unknown.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as non insulin-dependent diabetes, is a condition resulting from a combination of insulin resistance, i.e, body cells failing to respond properly to the insulin produced, inadequate insulin secretion, and excessive production of glucagon. Progression of the disease may lead to insulin deficiency that results in hyperglycemia. (high blood sugar levels)

This medicine is available in tablet form on prescription. It is prescribed to lower blood sugar levels by removing excess sugar from the body, through urine

Dosage of Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S depends on age, severity of condition, patient's response to medicine and their comorbidities.

Common side effects of this medication are dizziness, back pain, frequent urge to urinate, mild rash, thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis - fungus growing in the mouth and throat)

Indications

Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S is prescribed to adults. It is used in the treatment of:

• For type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels) - as an adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise when you can't take metformin
• Along other anti-diabetics, if monotherapy (treatment with a single drug) is unsuccessful 
• When you’re overweight and have type 1 diabetes, it is given alongside insulin to control your blood sugar levels

 

How does Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S work?

It is an anti-diabetic medication that works by lowering blood sugar levels by removing excess sugar from the body, through urine.

 

How to use Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S can be taken with or without meals, any time of the day as long as it's around the same time everyday. 

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. 

 

Dosage 

For type 2 diabetes:

• Initial dose is usually 5mg/day which is then increased to 10mg/day (optimum dose)
• The dosage may vary if you’re taking it in combination with other medicines like metformin and saxagliptin
• Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S with Metformin - (Xigduo)
• Xigduon comes in 2 different strengths. Each tablet contains 5mg of Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S and either 850mg or 1g of Metformin. Appropriate strength will be prescribed to you by your doctor.
• Usually 1 tablet is taken twice a day, with meals to prevent getting an upset stomach 
• Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S with Saxagliptin - (Qtern)
• Qtern comes in only one strength. Each tablet contains 10mg of Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S and 5mg of saxagliptin.
• Usually 1 tablet is taken once a day, with meals to prevent getting an upset stomach 

For type 1 diabetes: 

• Recommended dose is 5mg/day taken with insulin

 

Pregnancy use and lactation

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor before using Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S. Usually it is not prescribed while breastfeeding as it could possibly affect the growth and development of the baby’s kidneys. 

 

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S:

• Elderly (above 75 years of age)
• Renal (kidney) impairment
• Liver impairment 
• Volume depletion 
• Severe trauma
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (abnormally fast breakdown of fat into blood acids called ketones)

 

Precautions

Please tell your doctor about any of the following conditions while using Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S:

• Pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
• Severe hepatic (liver) impairment
• Increased haematocrit (volume of blood containing red blood cells)
• Volume depletion
• Heart failure
• Cardiovascular (heart or its blood vessels related) diseases
• History of hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney)
• Urosepsis (body's severe response to an infection of the urinary tract),
• Glycosuria (abnormal presence of glucose in urine).
• About to have surgery 
• Allergic reaction

 

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S, hence, in that case your doctor might alter your dosage and make sure to monitor blood sugar levels more closely.

Please inform your doctor about the use of the following before taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S:

• Diuretics (like furosemide)
• Pioglitazone (anti diabetic) 
• Antihypertensive
• Antidepressants
• Nitrates (for chest pain)
• Baclofen (muscle relaxant)
• Tamsulosin (for enlarged prostate)
• Co-careldopa or levodopa (for parkinsons)
• ACE inhibitor
• Angiotensin II antagonist
• DPP4 inhibitors
• Incretin mimetics (stimulate glucose dependent insulin release)
• Hypoglycemics (lower blood sugar) such as insulin and gliclazide - dosage will have to be decreased to avoid hypoglycemic events.

 

Adverse effects

Like most medicines, Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S has some side effects which include:

Common:

• Dizziness
• Back pain, 
• Frequent urge to urinate, 
• Mild rash, 
• Thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis - fungus growing in the mouth and throat)

Serious:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) manifested as dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, headache and sweating
• Anaphylaxis (allergic) reactions - difficulty breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, hives, or difficulty swallowing
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (abnormally fast breakdown of fat into blood acids called ketones) - indicated by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, state of confusion or tiredness, stomach ache, fruity breath and rapid and deep breathing. 
• Dehydration - characterised by dry mouth, excessive thirst, sleepy/tired, oliguria (decreased output of urine)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI) - signs include high temperature, shivering, burning sensation while passing urine, pain in the back or side, hematuria (blood in urine)

 

How to cope with some of the adverse effects

• Thrush - Apply an antifungal, if it persists even after a week, inform your doctor

• Back pain - Contact your doctor as it could be sign of UTI (urinary tract infection)

• Frequent urination - sign that you’re passing out more sugar in your urine. Contact your doctor if it is bothersome.

• Dizziness - Try and rest until you feel better and refrain from driving or using any tools or machinery

• Hypoglycemia - Carry fast acting carbohydrates (like sweets and juice) to prevent your body from going into a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects.

 

Key facts about Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S

• Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels) - as an adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise when you can't take metformin, along other anti-diabetics if monotherapy (treatment with a single drug) is unsuccessful and when you’re overweight and have type 1 diabetes, it is given alongside insulin to control your blood sugar levels
• It is prescribed to adults but should be avoided in elderly
• It works on your kidneys by removing excess sugar from the body, through urine
• When using Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S with other medicines it can cause hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) hence, carry something sweet in case that happens.
• Some people have shown to lose weight when taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S
• If you are taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S for type 1 diabetes, always carry your alert card because you are at a higher risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Matter of concern arises when you experience signs like yellowness of eyes, prolonged bleeding and bruising, chest pain, breathing difficulties, skin rashes or an allergic reaction. In that case contact your doctor immediately.
• It is important for your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, along with repeated tests to prevent you from any complications. 

 

FAQs

 

1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S DO?

It is a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that works by lowering blood sugar levels by removing excess sugar from the body, through urine.

2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S TO START WORKING?

It starts working after a couple of hours but might take upto a week to become fully effective. Initially, you might not feel that it is effective, but that does not mean you stop taking the medicine thinking it is not working. Make sure to continue taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S as directed by your doctor.

3. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S FOR?

Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S is usually prescribed for long term use, possibly life long. Your dosage and time period is decided by your doctor after knowing the severity of your condition.

4. CAN I STOP TAKING Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

This medicine largely controls your blood sugar levels, but does not cure your condition. Hence, do not just stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor, otherwise your condition could possibly get worse.

5. DOES Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS?

Unlike most hypoglycemics it doesn't cause weight gain but some individuals have shown to lose weight while taking Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S.

6. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

An overdose of Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) indicated by feeling hungry, trembling or shaking, sweating, feeling confused and having problems concentrating. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these signs.

7. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

Incase you miss a dose, take your next dose on time and do not try making up for the missed dose by doubling it up. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm so you do not miss any dose.

8. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

Drinking alcohol in moderation is not harmful. However, patients who have type 1 diabetes mellitus can develop diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of dehydration if they drink alcohol.

9. CAN I TAKE Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S BEFORE SURGERY ?

Inform your doctor that you are using Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S before surgery as he/she might ask you to stop taking the medicine before your operation. This is important as with the use of Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S there is a high risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (life threatening condition that occurs when blood glucose levels are too high)

10. CAN I DRIVE OR RIDE A BIKE AFTER TAKING Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S?

Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S alone might not affect your ability to drive or ride a bike, but when given in combination with other medicines, it could result in low blood sugar levels resulting in loss of concentration vision impairment (your eyesight is affected). To be on the safe side, always carry fast acting carbohydrates (like sweets and juice) to prevent your body from going into a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

11. HOW SHOULD Dapa 5mg Tablet 14 'S BE STORED?

Keep the medicine at room temperature in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Make sure to keep it away from pets, children and other people.