The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new use for the diabetes drug dapagliflozin. This drug, taken as a once-daily pill, is for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is approved to help lower blood sugar levels along with diet and exercise. It is also now approved to help reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients who have heart disease or several risk factors for it.
This approval means doctors have another tool for patients whose type 2 diabetes comes with concerns about heart health. It allows treatment to potentially address both blood sugar and the risk of a serious heart event with one medication. The drug works by helping the kidneys remove extra sugar from the body through urine.
It is important to know this drug is not for everyone. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It is also not recommended for controlling blood sugar in people with more advanced kidney disease, as it may not work well. The dose a doctor prescribes may be different depending on whether the main goal is blood sugar control or heart failure risk reduction.
As with any new medication approval, this is a decision made between a patient and their doctor. If you have questions about whether this drug might be right for you or a loved one, the most important step is to have a conversation with your healthcare provider. They can review your individual health history and help you understand all your options.