Dapagliflozin & toilet frequency

[baltibob]

Hi

I had a UTI about 2 months ago (but didn't go to the GP). As well as some pain when going to the loo, I also started going once or twice at night, and this continued after the infection went away.

I started to get a bit concerned so called the GP and they asked me to provide a sample. They got back to me quickly saying there was glucose in my urine and could I provide another sample they could send to the lab. I haven't heard back yet but have been quite worried about diabetes.

I saw my heart nurse a couple of days ago and talked to her about this. She said that Dapagliflozin can increase the glucose in your urine but only when you start taking it, and I should speak to my GP.

I have since tested my blood sugar levels a few times and it seems normal, which is a relief. I also read the dapa leaflet again, and it states that it blocks a protein which causes your body to remove salt and urine from your body via your urine, but it says nothing about only when you start taking it. Increased urination is a common side effect, and at night time a less common side effect (1 in 100).

Getting up in the night to go to the loo once or twice a night is really disrupting my sleep, as I often find it hard to get to sleep afterwards. After a few days, it catches up with me and I feel exhausted.

I have been on dapa since my cardiac arrest in Feb, and I'm not sure why I would suddenly get a side effect after 8 months. Is anyone else on dapa, and has increased toilet frequency at night? Is there anything that can help?

Thanks

[Happyrosie]

personally I’d say that getting up for a pee only once a night is wonderful! The older you get the more your blade talks to you - or so conversations with friends say.

[Blackknight57]

dapla takes sugars out of your body and dumps it into your bladder. It can also give symotoms of ibs . Side effects are too long. Im on dapla and another diretic, 3 times a night peeing is new norm

[Alicant in reply to Blackknight57]

Only 3 … amateur😉

[Murderfan58]

If you get another UTI got straight to your GP as it can lead to a kidney infection and you do not want one of those. I had a spate of UTIs and kidney infections couple of years ago took 16 courses of antibiotics to get rid of them . Problem is a urine dip test doesn't work on me and always had to have a blood test . Plus only 2 antibiotics work for me and have to have 7 days course of tablets. Saw an urologist he had an ultrasound done on my bladder and kidneys with full bladder and empty both were find he thought I just had a bad infection.

Had an UTI earlier this year but know the symptoms so just rang my GP told them I had one and which of the 2 antibiotics I could have and needed a 7 days course they just sent the prescription to the pharmacy as they know what I am talking about . Saves their time and means I get the tablets from the start.

Since before had my children always got up in the night to the loo. Now always go twice a night . I am 66 have PAF and on Flecainide, Apixaban and Ramipril plus other tablets for my neurological condition which is a rare one and effects my limbs and other things. I was born with it plus born with small hole in the side of my heart didn't know that until 2020/2021 . Didn't get the neurological condition test results until 2022. But better late than never .

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Any man over 50 who has not had a PSA test and has started to go to the loo several times a night ( irrespective of medication) and/or has noticed a reduction in flow should get said PSA test.

[baltibob in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks, yes I need to get a PSA test done.

[Sue6666]

Yes I'm on Daoa and had one infection after another when I was first on it..so much so I had to have a cystoscopy to check if it was just infections (which they were) . I've now been on it about 8 months and get up once a night as opposed to 2 or 3 and gave not had an infection since the one after my cystocopy - typical!

I almost now happy to say all is well so keep going I'm sure you'll get there x

[Elyepp]

Thank you for posting this, I started on dapa in October and have found i am going to the toilet much more often during the day and twice during the night. It didn't occur to me until I read your post that it could be one of the dapa side effects. I will mention to GP. According to my GP the drug is a wonder drug and as I am also diabetic and awaiting a cabg best for me. The one thing I have noticed that is shown on the side effects list is an increase in thrush, but a course of canesten soon clears it up.

People's replies are comforting too, and shows the symptoms settle down.

[Deejay62]

I’m on dapa, I’ve been on it for over a year. Sometimes I do find myself waking up during the night to have a pee. I usually go straight back to sleep.

On Dapa you do pass salt and glucose through your urine. That’s why they tell you to keep your parts clean to get rid of residue.

[Class52]

I’m type 2 diabetic not too well controlled with just metformin so I was put on dap about two years ago to be on a long term basis. My diabetic nurse said it draws out my sugar from my urine and at urine tests they always comment on the sugar level and I comment that’s good my dap is clearly working. As it happens my heart consultant is also happy with dap as it helps with my heart issues too. I think the nurse saying it only increases the blood sugar level when first taken is wrong but then I’m not a doctor. As an aside I find there a lot of nurses suffering from a little bit of knowledge which they can get wrong.

[Class52]

I forgot to respond on toilet frequency. I think that’s a separation issue. You need to think more on the lines of BPH, bladder retention and getting a prostate test