AstraZeneca has announced that the medication Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) will no longer be licensed for use by people living with type 1 diabetes. People living with type 2 diabetes and using Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) are not affected by this news.
What is Dapagliflozin?
Dapagliflozin was licensed and used as an additional medication for people living with type 1 diabetes to help with hyperglycaemia and weight loss. It was prescribed to people with a BMI over 27. Trials had shown that Dapagliflozin was effective. However, it was noted that DKA may occur and be difficult to notice, as the blood glucose level may appear to be in range. AstraZeneca states that the withdrawal is not about any new safety concerns.
Dapagliflozin is still licensed for use in people living with type 2 diabetes and seems to be an effective drug at helping to manage type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk.
What's happening now?
In order for the drug to be continued to be used for people living with type 1 diabetes, the MHRA required that a ‘black triangle’ be placed alongside the drug name. This is a very common practice with new drugs to the market and means that further monitoring of any side effects is required. The company were concerned that people living with type 2 diabetes who use the drug might have been confused or worried by this new warning, which doesn’t apply to the use of the drug in type 2 diabetes.
As there is no safety concern to people living with type 1 diabetes using this medication, Diabetes UK are disappointed that AstraZeneca and the MHRA did not find a solution which allowed people living with type 1 diabetes to continue using Dapagliflozin safely.
What should I do?
There are other medications which can still be prescribed, and safely used alongside insulin for people living with type 1 diabetes. If you’re concerned about this news or you’ve been advised to stop taking Dapagliflozin, please speak to your diabetes team for further advice.
Call Our Helpline
If you’re worried or have any questions about this news, as well as your diabetes team, you can also always contact our helpline team on 0345 123 2399. Our trained advisors are there to support you.
