Dapasmart 5 mg (Dapagliflozin)

Description

Introduction

Dapasmart 5 mg is a tablet containing 5 mg of dapagliflozin. The product is identified for type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin is a medicine that can lower blood glucose in people with this condition. Whether it is appropriate depends on a person’s medical history, kidney function and other medicines.

The information below describes dapagliflozin and its known effects. For directions and details specific to the supplied tablets, read the packaging and consult a healthcare professional.

What Is It?

Dapagliflozin belongs to a group of medicines called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Dapasmart provides it in tablet form. The 5 mg strength states the amount of active ingredient in each tablet; it does not establish an appropriate dose for an individual.

How Does It Work?

The kidneys filter glucose from the blood and normally return much of it to the bloodstream. A protein called SGLT2 helps with this process. Dapagliflozin blocks SGLT2, allowing more glucose to leave the body in urine. This can reduce blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes.

Its glucose-lowering effect depends partly on kidney function. Dapagliflozin also increases the removal of water and salt in urine. This effect is relevant when considering dehydration and low blood pressure.

Common Uses

The stated indication for Dapasmart 5 mg is type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin may be used as part of diabetes management alongside diet, physical activity and, when appropriate, other glucose-lowering medicines. A healthcare professional can assess its place in a treatment plan.

Dapagliflozin is also used in some treatment plans for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Those uses should not be assumed to apply to this particular 5 mg product. Ask a healthcare professional for product-specific guidance. Dapagliflozin is not a treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis.

Available Strengths

This family is available in 5 mg, 10 mg.

Key Features

• Each tablet contains 5 mg of dapagliflozin.
• Dapagliflozin is an oral SGLT2 inhibitor.
• It lowers blood glucose by increasing the amount of glucose passed in urine.
• Its action does not directly stimulate insulin release.
• The stated indication for this product is type 2 diabetes.

Benefits

• Dapagliflozin can improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes when used within an appropriate treatment plan.
• It can be combined with certain other diabetes medicines when a clinician considers this appropriate.
• Its kidney-based action offers a different way to lower blood glucose from medicines that increase insulin release.

The effect achieved by an individual can vary. Blood glucose monitoring and clinical review help establish whether treatment is working as intended.

Possible Side Effects

• Genital fungal infections and urinary tract infections can occur.
• Some people pass urine more often or experience thirst, dizziness or symptoms of dehydration.
• Low blood glucose is more likely when dapagliflozin is used with insulin or a sulfonylurea medicine.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis is an uncommon but serious risk. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, deep or rapid breathing, confusion and unusual tiredness. Blood glucose may not be especially high.
• Severe pain, redness or swelling around the genitals or perineum, particularly with fever or feeling unwell, needs urgent medical assessment.
• Swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing, may indicate a serious allergic reaction and needs urgent attention.

Precautions

• Kidney function can affect how well dapagliflozin lowers glucose and whether treatment is appropriate. Discuss kidney problems with a healthcare professional.
• Tell a healthcare professional about liver problems, low blood pressure, dehydration or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Discuss frequent urinary or genital infections, as these may be relevant during treatment.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding requires medical review. Dapagliflozin may be unsuitable during these periods.
• A previous allergic reaction to dapagliflozin or an ingredient in the supplied tablets should be raised before use.

Additional Precautions

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or reduced food and fluid intake may increase the risks of dehydration and ketoacidosis. Seek professional guidance during illness.
• Tell the treating team about dapagliflozin before surgery or a procedure involving prolonged fasting. A temporary change to treatment may be needed.
• Symptoms of ketoacidosis require urgent assessment even if a blood glucose reading is not unusually high.
• Persistent or worsening symptoms of a urinary or genital infection should be assessed promptly.
• Any glucose monitoring should follow the plan set by the treating healthcare professional.

Storage Instructions

• Follow the storage and expiry information printed on the supplied pack. Ask a pharmacist if any instruction is unclear.
• Keep the tablets in their supplied packaging unless a pharmacist advises otherwise.
• Keep medicines away from excess heat and moisture and out of children’s reach.
• Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of tablets that are unwanted or past their expiry date.

How to Take

• Use Dapasmart as directed by the prescribing healthcare professional and the instructions supplied with the product.
• Check that the tablet strength and prescribed schedule match the prescription. The 5 mg strength alone is not a dosing instruction.
• Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do if a dose is missed or more than prescribed is taken.
• Seek advice before changing or stopping prescribed diabetes treatment.

Drug Interactions

• Insulin and sulfonylureas, such as gliclazide or glimepiride, can increase the risk of low blood glucose when used with dapagliflozin.
• Diuretics can add to fluid loss and increase the risk of dehydration or low blood pressure.
• Medicines that lower blood pressure may make dizziness or low blood pressure more likely for some people.
• Dapagliflozin can lower blood lithium levels; people taking lithium may need monitoring.
• Tell a doctor or pharmacist about prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements being used.

Why Choose This Product?

• It provides dapagliflozin in a 5 mg tablet for consideration within a type 2 diabetes treatment plan.
• Dapagliflozin has an established SGLT2 mechanism and evidence for lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.
• The stated tablet strength allows a healthcare professional to check the supplied product against a prescription.

A healthcare professional can determine whether this product and strength fit the intended treatment. The stated indication should not be extended to other conditions without product-specific guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the active ingredient in Dapasmart 5 mg?

Each tablet contains 5 mg of dapagliflozin.

What type of medicine is dapagliflozin?

It is an SGLT2 inhibitor. It increases the amount of glucose removed from the body in urine.

What is the stated indication for this product?

The stated indication is type 2 diabetes. A healthcare professional can assess whether it is appropriate for an individual.

Does dapagliflozin replace diet and physical activity?

No. In type 2 diabetes, medicine is considered alongside a suitable diet and physical activity plan.

Can dapagliflozin cause low blood glucose?

The risk is higher when it is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea medicine. A healthcare professional can explain appropriate monitoring.

Can it affect urination?

Yes. More glucose and water may pass in urine, and some people notice increased urination.

What serious symptoms need urgent assessment?

Symptoms suggesting ketoacidosis, a serious allergic reaction or a severe genital infection need urgent medical attention.

Can it be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

These circumstances need medical review. Dapagliflozin may be unsuitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Does the 5 mg strength tell me how much to take?

No. Tablet strength is not an individual dose or schedule. Follow the prescription and seek product-specific guidance from a healthcare professional.

Related Products

• Dapasmart 5 mg (Dapagliflozin)
• Dapasmart 10 mg (Dapagliflozin)
• Glimepiride 3 mg Australia
• Voglibose 0.2 mg Australia
• Acarbose 25 mg Australia
• Repaglinide 1 mg Australia