How much water should you drink when taking Farxiga?

In this article:

• Hydration and Farxiga
• How much water should you drink?
• How to stay hydrated
• The bottom line

In this article

• Hydration and Farxiga
• How much water should you drink?
• How to stay hydrated
• The bottom line

Farxiga is a brand-name medication that helps adults with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. It belongs to a class of prescription drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 proteins in your kidneys help your body reabsorb sugar into the bloodstream. Farxiga works by blocking these proteins, allowing your body to remove excess sugar through urine.

Because it makes you urinate more frequently, it can cause dehydration—making it essential to drink enough fluids while taking Farxiga. How much water you need each day varies depending on your health history, activity levels, age, and gender. However, a good daily guideline to follow is nine cups for adult women and 13 cups for adult men. Here’s what you need to know.

Why does hydration matter on Farxiga?

Farxiga increases the amount of urine your body produces. This helps your body get rid of excess water, sugar, and salt. By doing so, it decreases blood glucose levels and blood pressure, making the medication effective for treating Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it can also cause dehydration if you don’t drink enough fluids.

People with diabetes are more prone to dehydration. Additionally, certain people are at higher risk of dehydration when taking Farxiga, including those who:

• Take medications to lower blood pressure, including diuretics (water pills)
• Are on a low-salt diet 
• Have kidney problems or impaired kidney function
• Are 65 years or older

If you belong to any of these groups, it’s essential to prioritize water consumption. Especially for people with diabetes, “dehydration could cause electrolyte disturbances that are very dangerous,” says Gregory Dodell, MD, an endocrinologist with Central Park Endocrinology in New York, New York. “It is very important for patients with diabetes to stay well-hydrated in order to regulate blood sugar levels properly,” agrees Sajid Patel, Pharm.D., a pharmacist at Ballard Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York.

Additionally, staying hydrated may help prevent other common side effects of Farxiga, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (more common in people with Type 1 diabetes), urinary tract infections (UTI), vaginal yeast infections, and increased cholesterol.

How much water should you drink when taking Farxiga?

While taking Farxiga, you need to drink enough water daily to prevent dehydration. However, there are no specific guidelines for how much you should drink each day while on Farxiga. The general recommendation for total water intake from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is nine cups per day for adult women and 13 cups per day for adult men. However, you might need more or less to stay hydrated.

For example, people with the following conditions may need to drink less water to stay hydrated:

• Heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease that requires dialysis

According to Dr. Patel, heart failure patients might need to limit their fluid intake to 6 to 9 cups per day because fluid can build up in their bodies, worsening the condition and causing swelling in the feet, legs, or stomach.

On the other hand, the following people may need to drink more water to stay hydrated:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Athletes
• People living at high altitudes
• People exposed to hot temperatures

Additionally, people taking certain medications or over-the-counter supplements may need to adjust their water intake because of drug interactions that increase dehydration.

You should work with your healthcare provider to determine how much water you need to avoid dehydration on Farxiga.

How to stay hydrated while on Farxiga

If you take Farxiga, the following tips can help to ensure you’re meeting your water intake needs:

1. Talk to your healthcare provider: Everyone’s hydration needs are different depending on their medical situation and risk factors for dehydration. For example, individuals with heart failure may be instructed to drink less since more fluid in the bloodstream can make it more difficult for the heart to pump.
2. Keep a water bottle with you: After you’ve determined with your healthcare team how much water you should be drinking, a water bottle with measurements can help you track and meet those goals.
3. Limit alcohol and caffeine: Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can contribute to dehydration. Dr. Patel suggests avoiding both while taking Farxiga.
4. Add natural flavors to your water: If you don’t drink enough water because you don’t like the way it tastes, try adding some fruit. A hint of lemon or lime juice might make it more appealing.
5. Set reminders: Use an app or the alarm on your phone to gently nudge yourself to drink water throughout the day.

The bottom line

Farxiga is a medicine that can cause dehydration if you don’t drink enough fluids. Generally, for adequate hydration, adult women should drink nine cups of water a day, and adult men should drink 13 cups daily. However, people with medical conditions like heart failure or end-stage kidney disease may need less water to stay hydrated. When you’re taking Farxiga, work with your healthcare team to determine how much you need to drink to maximize blood sugar control and avoid serious side effects.