Farxiga for Chronic Kidney Disease User Reviews

• CKD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2023

"Secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), nephrotic syndrome, 24-hour protein 5-7 grams. I know... GFR year average 51, some though as low as 42. I was heading in the wrong direction. Previous drug regimen: ACEi 40mg, Aliskiren 300mg, Torsemide 20-30mg depending on extremity edema each day. So what happened next... Dropped the Aliskiren completely (normally not taken together with an ACEi in the first place, but it was lowering proteinuria). Started Farxiga two weeks later. BP was staying well controlled without the Aliskiren, due to my dropping sodium to no more than 1800mg/day, and protein to no more than 79g, as well as reducing carbs to around 150g. I use a fantastic app called MyPlate to help me achieve this. No side effects that could be recognized from taking Farxiga. I was apprehensive because of them. Haven't done the 24-hour yet, but GFR now 64, blew my mind. Give it time to work and control sodium/protein. Don't let possible side effects stop you from trying. Just be aware of them, keep a close eye, and keep fightin' CKD!"

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2024

"Have kidney disease. Farxiga helped reduce swelling, reduced my proteinuria a little, and helped my vision. The bad, got balanitis (genital yeast infection). What helped, no sugar, no bread, lots of water, only water all day long with food. The medication seems to work, however, you need to be careful of the side effects when they start. I stopped the medication a few times to get the balanitis under control. It only was bad when I ate sugar and bread. I did notice my hair thinning out. If your body doesn't have sugar, hair will not grow as well (hair uses the body's sugar). Long story short, take it, be aware of what your body does for the two weeks (write it down). Stop the medication if you see or feel things off (side effects are worse than the improvements), then see if things improve. I'm not a doctor, so please don't take my advice seriously. Just an opinion from 'experience' and great results on blood work. 6/10. Balanitis is really a bad experience."

• IGA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2022

"I started Farxiga 3 months ago. My EGFR has dropped from 52 to 44. I have chest muscle tightness, swelling around eyelids. My 24-hour protein leak has dropped from 1.2 to 0.6. Due to side effects and EGFR, I am not going to continue the drug. I have an appointment with my nephrologist tomorrow."

• RWP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2023

"I started taking Farxiga in July 2022 for an eGFR of 18. Two weeks ago in February 2023, my eGFR is now 44. I was given the AstraZeneca grant for a year's supply of Farxiga because I can't afford the copay. I had to nag my PCP for 6 months to prescribe the drug, as I didn't want dialysis or a kidney transplant. I'm not diabetic, and I watch my sugar intake or lack of intake so I don't become hypoglycemic. So far, so good. My nephrologist was getting ready to put me on the medication until my PCP finally read up about how the drug helps. My use of Farxiga outweighs the side effects of hot flashes. I don't have any other side effects. I'm on a 10 mg dose still until it's safe to go back to 5 mg, per my nephrologist."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2023

"I began taking Farxiga in February for a month but became concerned about potential kidney function loss and decided to discontinue use. After stopping, my kidney function increased from 30 to 34. I thought it would be helpful to consult with primary and clinical pharmacists regarding my concerns. However, my kidney doctor resumed my Farxiga prescription, and I have now been taking it for one month. Unfortunately, my kidney function has decreased to 24, and I have had two blood tests in one week that revealed elevated levels of creatinine and potassium. Despite having a good blood panel in March before starting Farxiga, I have experienced chest pain and a salty taste in my mouth. I stopped taking Farxiga today, but I am worried that the damage may be irreversible. If you have low kidney function to start with, I advise against taking this medication as it may adversely affect your potassium levels. I am scared and have read that individuals with a GFR of less than 45 should avoid this medication. I question my doctor's decision to prescribe it to me."

• dou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2023

"Here is the really weird thing about Farxiga: it's supposed to help your kidneys, but it makes your kidney numbers worse. My GFR went down, my serum creatinine went up, and my urine albumin went from 68.1 mg/l to 338 mg/l after using it for only six weeks. My doctor told me this is normal - it's counterintuitive. So I asked him - how will I know it's working - he said wait 5-10 years. I had non-insulin-dependent diabetes with protein in my urine, so my endocrinologist/nephrologist recommended it to protect my kidneys. She switched my 1500 mg of metformin to 10 mg of Farxiga. The Farxiga was not as effective at controlling my diabetes. My A1c jumped from 5.5 to 5.7, and my insulin jumped from 30 to 68. I was very hungry on this drug, and I also think it affected my taste buds and gave me the sniffles. It's odd to take a drug that gives the opposite statistics of what you want - I really don't think I'll continue taking it."

• Noe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2023

"Been on this drug for 9 months. Protein leak has decreased from 385 to 187. EGFR has decreased from 90 to 70, but I’ve been told that’s normal and okay. No side effects at all, so I’ll keep taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2022

"I also have high blood pressure and heart disease. My doctor just prescribed this drug. However, reading all the reviews, I am not going to take this drug. I do not want a yeast infection or lose my hair. Looks like almost everyone taking the drug ended up getting a yeast infection."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2023

"I took Farxiga and had a bad skin rash all over my body with unbearable itching. My GFR readings went from 18 to 27. My dermatologist had me stop taking it and said it could take up to 9 months for my skin to repair to normal. Really wish I could have tolerated it to see how much more improvement I could get from it."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2024

"Being not sure how to feel completely. I have started 5 mg of this medication a week ago. Make sure you are drinking while taking this medication. I don’t have diabetes but I have had CKD for years and was prescribed this before and didn't want my kidneys to become dependent on this. Well, a few years later (just recently), my creatinine went from 1.12 to 1.42. And my eGFR went from 61 to 47 so I agreed to try the 5 mg of Farxiga. So far, my complaints are peeing all the time, which I have baby wipes to wipe with first then I dry with toilet paper, and headaches each day. I called my doctor and he will be getting labs each week for 4 weeks and see how my levels are doing. Doesn't help I am a nurse and know what I want to have checked, but I will be going on Monday for a check lab draw and see if taking it for a mere week has done anything different as I have peed at least every hour. Make sure to drink a lot of fluid since you are going to be peeing it out."

• a2z...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2024

"The only major side effect that I have noticed with Farxiga is it decreased appetite and weight loss. So far in six months I've lost more than 30 pounds, but I was technically obese when I started."

• DMG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2024

"I was hesitant to start taking for kidney function and pre-diabetes. So far, so good. I've experienced none of the 'bad' side effects. I will know in a month or so if my CKD has stopped progressing."

• kba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2024

"I take this medication for kidney disease to prevent it from worsening. It seems to work very well, but it did cause me to get both yeast infections and UTIs."