Dr. George Grunberger

Jan 13, 2014

FDA Approves New Diabetes Medication in 2014; Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)

FDA approved dapagliflozin (Farxiga) on January 8, 2014 for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes not controlled with diet and exercise.

This medication is the second in the class of drugs which block reabsorption of glucose by the kidney and thus lower blood sugar by increasing its excretion in the urine.

Last year canagliflozin (Invokana) was approved as the first such drug in the US.

In addition to lowering blood sugar levels, many patients can lose weight (by losing calories in the urine). These pills are not associated with low blood sugar levels. However, they can increase risk of genital mycotic and urinary tract infections.