Dapagliflozin 5 mg + Metformin hydrochloride 500mg (ER)

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Dapagliflozin + Metformin Uses

Dapagliflozin + Metformin is an oral medicine belonging to the category of antidiabetic drugs and is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dapagliflozin + Metformin side effects 

More Common  

1. Abdominal or stomach discomfort 
2. Cough or hoarseness 
3. Decreased appetite 
4. Diarrhea 
5. Fast or shallow breathing 
6. Fever or chills 
7. General feeling of discomfort 
8. Lower back or side pain 
9. Muscle pain or cramping 
10. Painful or difficult urination 
11. Sleepiness 
12. Anxiety 
13. Bladder pain 
14. Bloody or cloudy urine 
15. Blurred vision 
16. Chills 
17. Cold sweats 
18. Confusion 
19. Cool, pale skin 
20. Decreased frequency or amount of urine 
21. Depression 
22. Difficult, burning, or painful urination 
23. Dizziness 
24. Fast heartbeat 
25. Frequent urge to urinate 
26. Headache 
27. Increased hunger 
28. Increased thirst 
29. Itching of the vagina or genitals 
30. Loss of appetite 
31. Loss of consciousness 
32. Lower back or side pain 
33. Nausea 
34. Nightmares 
35. Seizures 
36. Shakiness 
37. Slurred speech 
38. Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs 
39. Thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor 
40. Trouble breathing 
41. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
42. Vomiting 
43. Weight gain 

Less Common 

1. Anxiety 
2. Blurred vision 
3. Chest discomfort 
4. Cold sweats 
5. Coma 
6. Confusion 
7. Cool, pale skin 
8. Depression 
9. Difficult or labored breathing 
10. Dizziness 
11. Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse 
12. Feeling of warmth 
13. Headache 
14. Increased hunger 
15. Increased sweating 
16. Nausea 
17. Nervousness 
18. Nightmares 
19. Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest 
20. Seizures 
21. Shakiness 
22. Slurred speech 
23. Tightness in the chest 
24. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
25. Foul smelling discharge from the penis 
26. Pain in the skin around the penis 
27. Rash of the penis 
28. Redness, itching, or swelling of the penis 

How Dapagliflozin + Metformin works 

Metformin and dapagliflozin work by tackling high blood sugar from two angles in type 2 diabetes, where the body either makes too much sugar or doesn’t use insulin well. Metformin acts like a traffic cop for the liver, slowing down its sugar production and helping muscles absorb sugar more efficiently. Dapagliflozin, on the other hand, turns the kidneys into a sugar filter allowing excess sugar to exit the body through urine. Together, they reduce sugar buildup in the blood: one shuts the tap, the other opens the drain.

Safety Measures and Warning 

Pregnancy

Due to a lack of studies on the effects of dapagliflozin + metformin on the fetus during pregnancy, its safety is not clearly established. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor.

Breastfeeding

Metformin and dapagliflozin pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed and they will advise if you should stop breastfeeding or stop metformin and dapagliflozin.

Kidney and Liver Problems

Patients suffering from kidney and liver problems are more prone to kidney and liver damage, as the drug is made into a less toxic form in the liver and kidney, so consult a doctor before using them.

Dapagliflozin + Metformin Interaction with Food Product 

Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action and show an effect on blood glucose levels by affecting the liver and pancreas. It can sometimes increase blood sugar levels and sometimes decrease blood sugar levels.

Dapagliflozin + Metformin Interaction with Other Medicines  

Avoid taking Dapagliflozin + Metformin combination with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Dapagliflozin + Metformin Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

Dapagliflozin- (2S,3R,4R,5S,6R) -2- {4-chloro -3-[(4-ethoxyphenyl) methyl] phenyl} -6-(hydroxymethyl) oxane-3,4,5-triol.

Metformin- N, N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take metformin and dapagliflozin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 2500 mg of Metformin and 100 mg dapagliflozin per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, sweating, gastric symptoms, and seizures. Immediately take fruit or glucose-containing liquids and sugary foods to minimize the effects. If you face any of the severe effects, meet the doctor.

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3. Keep out of reach of children 

Directions for use 

1. Take dapagliflozin + metformin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking dapagliflozin + metformin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take dapagliflozin + metformin, take them as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 

Dapagliflozin + Metformin Summary 

Metformin (a biguanide) and dapagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) are diabetes pills that lower blood sugar in different ways metformin reduces sugar made by the liver and improves insulin use, while dapagliflozin helps the kidneys flush sugar out through urine. Together, they help control diabetes, may aid weight loss, and offer heart and kidney benefits. Metformin can cause stomach upset, especially if taken without food; dapagliflozin may lead to more urination, UTIs, or dehydration, so staying hydrated is key. Avoid excess alcohol with metformin to prevent rare lactic acidosis.

FAQ’s

What are the uses of dapagliflozin and metformin extended-release tablets?

Dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets are used to manage blood sugar level in adults with type 2 diabetes, especially when diet and exercise alone are not enough.

How should I take dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets?

You should take dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets once daily with food to reduce stomach upset. Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush or chew it.

What side effects can occur with dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets?

Common side effects of dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets include genital yeast infections, urinary tract infections, nausea, and increased urination. Rarely, they may cause lactic acidosis or dehydration. 

Who should not take dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets?

Dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets should not be used by people with severe kidney problems, a history of lactic acidosis, or those who are severely dehydrated.

Can dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets cause low blood sugar?

Dapagliflozin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets typically do not cause low blood sugar on their own, but the risk increases if taken with insulin or other diabetes medications. 

Reference 

1. Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. Available from. 
2. Drug Bank. Metformin [Internet]. Edmonton (AB): Drug Bank; [citedhyg 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
3. WebMD. Metformin oral [Internet]. New York (NY): WebMD LLC; ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
4. Drugs.com. Metformin [Internet]. ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
5. Practo. Dapagliflozin [Internet]. [cited 2025 Sep 30]. Available from. 
6. Mayo Clinic. Dapagliflozin (oral route) [Internet]. [cited 2025 Sep 30]. Available from. 
7. Drugs.com. Dapagliflozin [Internet]. [cited 2025 Sep 30]. Available from.
8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 1152270, Dapagliflozin [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Sep 30]. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.