Dapagliflozin - any thoughts?

[Corriefan33]

I had a review of my HF medication today and was informed about a “new” medication that the surgery would like me to consider. I was sent a two page leaflet and asked to read it and let them know if I would like to take it in addition to my current meds. (Bisoprolol, Perindopril, Omeprazole, Atorvastatin, Eplerenone, Aspirin). I am not diabetic. Does anyone have any experience of taking this medication as a non diabetic? Anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.

[TheBesty]

Hi there, I think it's quite a common medicine for heart failure patients, im on 10mg a day. I think its like a diuretic for glucose so good for diabetes aswell.

Ive been on it for over a year and im still alive, so can't be too bad eh

[Corriefan33 in reply to TheBesty]

Thanks 🤩 so glad you’re doing well.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Hi, I was put on this by my Cardiologist last Nov - following O.H.S for a mitral valve replacement last June. My ejection fraction then increased by 10% in January. It’s one of the ‘4 pillars’ of meds for heart failure patients. Not sure if you’re a member of the ‘Pumping Marvellous’ Facebook Group - but there are literally hundreds of members on it there.

Hope you get on with it ok. As with lots of heart meds, it can lower your blood pressure, so I have to take mine with another medication to raise it again, at the same time.

[Corriefan33 in reply to DodgyTickerMum]

Thanks so much. I will investigate the Facebook group. I was a bit concerned about the side effects. The patient info the surgery sent me listed Thrush, rash, dizziness and low blood sugar as common symptoms.

[Barre01 in reply to Corriefan33]

try and focus on the benefits of this medication rather than uncommon side effects.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Barre01]

Absolutely- will do. I am a very positive person. I just wanted to know how others were finding it before I started it. Thank you for taking time to reply.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Unfortunately, I think the Cardiologists feel the benefits to the heart outweigh the potential side effects. Many people tolerate it without any. Until you try - you won’t know. You can always come off it and try an alternative. Fingers crossed you’ll be fine. 🤞🏻

[Corriefan33 in reply to DodgyTickerMum]

Yes, I’m going to give it a go. Thank you for your reply. 🤞

[Sue6666 in reply to Corriefan33]

I'm on Dapagliflozin which might be the one referred to. I haven't noticed any major changes day to day but watch out for urine infections which can affect some people.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Sue6666]

Thank you for taking time to reply. Will do.

[DogNaana]

Hi I was put on this last June along side many of the drugs you are on plus a few more without any side effects and the current cocktail is certainly working as now able to function relatively normally.

[Corriefan33 in reply to DogNaana]

Thank you for taking time to reply. That sounds really positive.

[Tierney3]

hi I was prescribed this drug in September and I was sceptical because I don’t have diabetes but it has given me a new level of life , I felt a lot better just 2 weeks after taking it and up to now I haven’t had any sick days . I would definitely recommend you to try it.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Tierney3]

That sounds really positive. So glad you are doing well. Thank you for taking time to reply.

[YITOPM]

Hi. After I had my HA 3 yrs ago I was asked to be part of the trial for Dapa to see if it would be suitable for HA subjects. I was on it for my 1st year post HA and had no issues from taking it along with most of the other meds you listed. All the very best wishes.

[iansHealth1 in reply to YITOPM]

Sounds like we were on the same trial. Mine was from the hospital in Camberwell and I recently got a card to tell me the trial has concluded and I was double blinded with the actual drug.

I’m not diabetic but I can say that recently being taken off it after another heart attack, it really helps with shortness of breath which disappeared when I went back on it.

[Corriefan33 in reply to YITOPM]

I’m definitely going to try it. Thank you for taking time to reply. So glad you are doing well.

[Mancunian1]

hi I’m on Dapaglifozin for my diabetes type 2 so can’t comment with regards to benefits for heart patients, although I’m 14 weeks post double cabg.

I can tell you that it made me lose a significant amount of weight and works well for me with diabetes so if the cardiologist is advising it I’m sure it will be beneficial given the links between diabetes and heart disease. No side effects of any note other than thrush type symptoms initially but given the way it works to flush sugars out in your urine before they get into your pancreas I guess it’s to be expected but that sons passed for me and I’ve been on it for over 5 years now. Hope it helps a little.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Mancunian1]

Thank you for taking time to reply. Sounds really positive- especially the losing weight bit! I have a tendency to get thrush from time to time so bit worried about that but it won’t stop me trying it. Hope you continue doing well.

[VelvetSky]

Hi, I was offered Dapaglifozin as a long term Diabetic. I am very badly damaged by something we are not allowed to mention on this site. I did a bit of research and one of the rare side effects can be gangrene of the perineum, I turned the offer down.

[Corriefan33 in reply to VelvetSky]

Oh goodness that sounds awful. I’ll look into that. Thank you for taking time to reply.

[Mancunian1 in reply to VelvetSky]

That is a side effect but I’ve seen no reports of it being common and happy to report no issues for me. With any medication I guess even the 10000-1 chance has to be recorded and I’ve been on it for years now with no ongoing side effects.

[Asteroids]

I’ve been on it since April last year. It’s raised my LVEF from 46% to 55% (normal range for my age!). It doesn’t make me feel any better, but my cardiologist said at the time that it will “help protect my heart”. I think the game is to keep your LVEF as high as possible for as long as possible.

I don’t get any additional side effects, but I already felt lousy from Bisolprolol. Virtually all heart medicines can make you dizzy. We just have to live with that as best we can.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Asteroids]

Thank you for taking time to reply. I don’t have any side effects that I am aware of with my current meds. I do get tired and have a hiatus hernia as well that gives me a bit of trouble.

[r2d2heart]

I have HOCM, I am not a diabeltic and my arteries are clear. After 10 years of undiagnosed angina type symptoms and lots of different drugs, whose side effects mostly outweighed any proposed benefits I was introduced to Dapa' 6 months ago by my cardiologist. After a couple of weeks, I noticed that I was able to climb stairs and gradients again and I feel that the improvements have continued to grow to the point where I can now outpace my healthy partner (similar weight and age). As I have not experienced any side effects I can recommend this drug as it has dramatically improved my quality of life.

[Corriefan33 in reply to r2d2heart]

That’s really good to know. Thank you for taking time to reply. I’m definitely going to agree to it.

[Dave678]

I’m a non diabetic and have been on 10mg Dapagliflozin for 5 years now after my first of three heart attacks in order to aid my recovery/hopefully help increase ejection fraction etc. One of side effects I’ve had is thrush which I’ve treated successfully with Canestan ointment and Cranberry tablets when necessary. Overall, I think the benefits of it outweigh the minuses but everyone’s different!

[Corriefan33 in reply to Dave678]

Thank you for taking time to reply. I’m definitely going to go ahead and try it.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning....like so many other people I am also on this medication and have had no side effects after nearly two years of being on it. I think the bonuses of it for the heart far outweigh the possible side effects which you can get with any medication. Obviously we are all different and some react to different drugs but this is one of the big heart medications used that has positive outcomes. I remember that whilst I was in hospital they kept an eye on my blood pressure for a few days and though it still remains on the lower side, I feel absolutely fine. Good luck with it x

[Corriefan33 in reply to Larneybuds]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. Sounds like it’s a no brainer.

[gorillaqueen]

Hi my cardiac rehab nurse said she thought I would benefit from taking this and I have been on 10.mg for over a year now with no side effects I’m aware off. My husband was also prescribed this by his HF nurse recently and again no problems. We are not diabetic. Good luck hope all goes well. 😊🌞X

[Corriefan33 in reply to gorillaqueen]

That sounds really positive. Glad you are both doing well. Thank you for taking time to reply. Take care.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Corriefan33]

Spell check meant to type aware of not off 🤣

[Alicant]

possible side effects..mmm ..if. I listed each “possible “ side effect from each medication I’m on ….I would possibly have virtually every illness going😱Fortunately I don’t😉 a lot of this is covering their backs!This I the age we live in!

[Corriefan33 in reply to Alicant]

Thank you for taking time to reply. Yes I have the patient leaflet that list the various side effects I just wondered what people were actually experiencing.

[Alicant in reply to Corriefan33]

Yes this forum very useful for sharing info…also stops you feeling alone …as we all do I think after diagnosis..have a Good Christmas..take care..

[Corriefan33 in reply to Alicant]

You too! 🎄

[honeybubs]

I’ve been on it 2 years and not a diabetic and no side effects. It’s the wonder drug for heart failure I was told because they gave it originally just to diabetics and they found that the ones who had heart failure improved their condition. X

[Corriefan33 in reply to honeybubs]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. It sounds really positive.

[Redracer]

it’s a standard medication for heart failure. It was initially used to treat diabetes but then was licensed for heart failure. It’s one of the 4 pillars

[Corriefan33 in reply to Redracer]

Thank you for taking time to reply. I’m very impressed with the feedback. I’m definitely going to go ahead.

[polenta]

I was just prescribed this about 4 months ago, also called farxiga, and I am not diabetic either. I have a weak heart muscle and was diagnosed with HF 10 years ago. My EF had improved to normal for almost 9 years, but after my last echo it had fallen back a bit to 45% so my HF specialist decided to add that to my other 3 meds. A lot of people report of UTIs but I havent had any problems and make sure to drink plenty of water everyday to stave off a UTI. I havent felt any ill effects at all from it, and hope to see an improvement in my next echo. Take care.

[Corriefan33 in reply to polenta]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. It all sounds really positive. Hope you continue to do well..

[EllenMcC]

It was added to my husbands cocktail last spring. A bit dizzy the first week but otherwise weight loss is the only side effect. We have improved our diet and he has fairly physical work so hard to say how much was dapa and how much were lifestyle changes. His EF after a nuclear wall motion study is 42%. Normal echo had him at 35% radiologist reading and Simpson method 48%. He should have one again in the new year so we will see

[Corriefan33 in reply to EllenMcC]

Thank you. That all sounds really positive.

[Ironfloor173]

Hi. I have been on this medication since first diagnosed with a silent HA in February 2022, so coming up to 3 years now. As someone else has said it's part of the cocktail HA patients are given. If it's been recommended then I would give it a try.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Ironfloor173]

Thank you. I am going to try it too.

[Ellie-Ann]

I take its cousin Epipagliflozin ( Jardine) only started it a few days ago. Also a diabetic drug but also used for heart failure as it gets rid of fluids… still need to drink 1.5-2 let’s of fluid a day my chemist said. So it’s given to heart failure folk. My ejection fraction is 30 … should be 50. I’m nearly 78. It’s supposed to help heart failure. Good luck.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Ellie-Ann]

Thank you. Good luck to you too.

[Retro51]

Hi, I take Eplerone but last thing before bedtime. If I take it in the morning along with my other heart tablets I get giddy and light headed. So I take it at night now with no side effects.Hope this helps.

Tony.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Retro51]

Thank you.

[Anon2023]

hi. I've been taking dapa for about 2 years for heart failure (I'm not diabetic) My EF is back in the normal range and I've not had many side effects. I've had a couple of uti"s and thrush but nothing that can't be managed. I'm on dapa, entresto, bisoprolol and spironolactone. I was told that these are really good meds for heart failure. I hope it works for you too.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Anon2023]

Thank you. All sounds really positive.

[Cocokiwi]

Hi, I started this drug about a year ago for HF and I'm non diabetic. I was told it could cause urine infections but if that was the case just to stop it. I've had no adverse effects from it and am still taking it. Royal Brompton says that they have been advised that this drug should be given to HF patients. You could always try it and see if you can tolerate it. I'm waiting on a Cardiac Resynchronisation device to be implanted for my HF and am quite anxious.