The FDA approved a new drug for people with type 2 diabetes to option to help control blood sugar levels. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) tablets, are in a fairly new class of diabetes drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors or SGLT2 inhibitors.
Farxiga will be the second drug in this class to make it to market, with the other being Invokana (canagliflozin), which was approved early 2013.
During clinical trials there was an increased number of bladder cancers in patients treated with the drug. So it is contraindicated in patients with a history of bladder cancer.
These class of drugs work inside your kidneys by blocking these SGLTs (glucose transporters) from reabsorbing the glucose and instead glucose is excreted in the urine.
Think of this as a detour.
Instead of the sugar going back into your bloodstream it goes into your bladder and is excreted in the urine.
Speak with your doctor to learn more.