Dr. Ahmed Is Farxiga associated with significant weight loss? How rapid is weight loss with Farxiga? Should you take Farxiga for weight loss?
To answer these questions, we’ll post some studies and patient reviews here to understand the effects of Farxiga on body weight.
Farxiga and Weight Loss:
There is, of course, some weight loss potential with Farxiga, Jardiance, and other SGLT2 inhibitors because of their glucosuric effects.
However, the weight loss reported with Farxiga is very slight. There are case reports of people losing significant weight with Farxiga, but those are rare reports, and we can not generalize them.
In a non-diabetic individual, the average daily blood glucose that is filtered by the kidneys is around 180 g. SGLT-2 Inhibitors such as Empagliflozin (Jardiance) and Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) block about 1/3rd to 1/2 of the filtered glucose from getting reabsorbed back into the blood.
Thus, with Farxiga, you may lose 53 g to 90 g of glucose per day. This is equivalent to 212 – 360 Calories per day. In other words, the calories lost are equivalent to a 30-minute workout such as push-ups, sit-ups, and sprints.
Theoretically, you can lose up to 0.6 lbs a week with Farxiga or 2.4 lbs a month, or about 12 lbs a year.
How Effective is Farxiga for Weight Loss:
Theoretically, Farxiga has great potential as a weight loss drug. However, it is best utilized when given in combination with other weight loss drugs such as:
- Semagltutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy)
- Liraglutide (Victoza or Saxenda)
- Phentermine and Topiramate (Qsymia)
- Naltrexone and Bupropion (Contrave)
- Orlistat (Alle)
Farxiga, by blocking glucose absorption, can lower body weight by up to 12 lbs in one year. This theoretical calculation is supported by data from the following studies:
In one study, Farxiga in a dose of 5 mg resulted in a weight loss of 3.4 kg (7.48 lbs) over a period of 6 months vs those treated with non-SGLT-2 medicines (1 kg or 2.2 lbs lost over 6 months). It was also important to note that most individuals who lost weight lost body fat rather than muscle mass.
In another study, participants in the Dapagliflozin group lost 2.7% body weight vs 1.7% weight loss with metformin and 1.2% weight loss with placebo.
How Rapid is Weight Loss with Farxiga?
Weight loss can be observed as early as within the first few weeks. However, within the first few weeks, the weight loss caused by Farxiga is due to the water loss from the body.
As Farxiga is an SGLT2 inhibitor, it causes the excretion of glucose, resulting in water loss with it. Hence, the weight loss you see in the first few weeks is primarily because of the water that is lost from the body and is not a true weight loss.
True weight loss is caused by the loss of fat from the body. Fat loss is a slow process, and as a person loses calories via the glucosuric effects of Farxiga, the fat cells are slowly mobilized, resulting in the utilization of fats.
Different studies have evaluated the weight loss effects of Dapagliflozin. A summary of the different studies that evaluated Dapagliflozin for weight loss and their duration is presented here:
Study | Duration | -2 kg vs -0.95 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg in early-stage diabetics vs Placebo | 12 weeks | -4.3 kg vs -1.55 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg in late-stage diabetics | 12 weeks | -5.05 kg vs -1.55 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 20 mg in early-stage diabetics | 12 weeks | -2.5 kg vs -0.95 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 20 mg in late-stage diabetics | 12 weeks | -5.05 kg Vs -1.55 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg Vs Placebo | 24 weeks | -2.08 kg |
| Dapa 5 mg vs Placebo | 24 weeks | -2.69 kg |
| Dapa 10 mg vs Metformin XR | 24 weeks | -3.3 kg vs -1.29 to -1.36 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg + Exenatide | 24 weeks | -4.5 kg |
| 52 weeks | -5.7 kg | |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg vs Placebo | 18.2 months | -0.88 +/- 3.86 vs +0.1 +/- 4.09 |
| Dapagliflozin vs Glipizide | 104 weeks | -5.1 kg |
| Dapagliflozin 10 mg Vs Placebo | 4.2 years | -1.8 kg |
It is obvious from the different studies quoted above that weight loss with Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) can be observed as early as 12 weeks. Moreover, the weight loss in long-term studies was sustained and significant.
In one study, it was also observed that patients who lost weight with Farxiga experienced primarily fat loss rather than muscle loss, which is a very interesting finding. This is in contrast to Ozempic and Mounjaro, as people have observed muscle loss as well [Ref].
Farxiga and Weight Loss: Patients’ Reviews:
I didn’t find many weight loss reviews by people on social media who were using Farxiga. Here are two reviews taken from Facebook:
| When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I lost around 10 pounds, and I had no clue what to do about my diet. I am 5’2″ and weigh around 120 pounds. But now, I’ve dropped down to 108 pounds, and I’m currently taking Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) and Basaglar. I don’t like being so skinny and want to put that weight back on. |
| I was diagnosed with diabetes which scared the hell outta me. My Doc prescribed me Metformin and Farxiga. At that time I weighed 95 kilograms and had an A1C of 8.7%.I changed my diet and started working out (for the first time in so many years). Within just three months, my A1C levels dropped from 8.7 to 5.8. I started noticing those extra pounds melting away within weeks. It’s been around four months, and I’m down to 82 kilograms, which means I’ve lost a whopping 13 kilograms!I’m so thrilled with my progress that I’m thinking of taking a break from my diabetes meds (after consulting my Doc). I know the weight loss struggle is a never-ending one but we have to push ourselves if we want to get off the meds. |
In Conclusion:
Weight loss with Farxiga can be as rapid as within weeks. People in clinical trials lost 2 to 4 kgs within 12 weeks. However, weight loss with Farxiga is not substantial as to consider it a weight loss drug. It may result in weight loss of 5% or more in only 26% of the individuals.
Farxiga can be combined with Ozempic and Mounjaro or Saxenda and Victoza for the best results. It may augment the weight loss effects of these weight loss drugs and result in greater weight loss.
