Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to weight loss.
Farxiga is a medication that’s FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The generic name for this drug is dapagliflozin, and we’ll refer to these two terms interchangeably throughout this article as they refer to the same active drug ingredient.
Farxiga is one of a number of diabetes drugs (the most popular is Ozempic) that’s being used off-label for weight loss.
But is Farxiga proven in research studies to cause weight loss, or is it just another popular health fad? Are there any risks to its use? How do real users rate and describe the effects of Farxiga for weight loss?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze medical studies on Farxiga to determine if the drug has a weight loss effect, and what its side effects are.
We’ll also feature real, unsponsored user reviews of this medication.
Does Farxiga Cause Weight Loss?
The effects of Farxiga on weight have been studied in several clinical trials.
A 2012 clinical trial found that Farxiga caused an average of 4.6 pounds of weight loss in overweight diabetic patients over the course of 24 weeks.
A clinical trial published in the Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism journal reported a similar rate of weight loss in diabetic patients: 10 pounds over 102 weeks.
A 2021 meta-study found that Farxiga is effective for weight loss in patients without diabetes, with average weight loss of 3.1 pounds in trials ranging from 2 to 26 weeks.
Based on the available research, we consider Farxiga potentially effective for weight loss, but this would be an “off-label” use that patients should speak with their doctor about before considering.
Farxiga is not currently FDA-approved for weight loss, and there can be additional risks to using drugs off-label.
But what are the risks of using Farxiga? We’ll discuss in the next section.
Does Farxiga Cause Side Effects?
Farxiga does cause side effects in some patients according to medical studies.
A 2014 medical review on the safety of Farxiga reported the following as the most common side effects: female genital mycotic infections (fungal infections around the vagina), urinary tract infections (UTIs) and nasopharyngitis.
A medical review published in the Drugs journal described low blood sugar as another potential side effect, but described Farxiga as “generally well tolerated.”
Farxiga’s FDA label does not carry a “black box” warning, which is the most severe type of warning issued by the FDA that indicates potentially life-threatening side effects.
Mounjaro is another diabetes medication that’s used off-label for weight loss, and that drug has an FDA black box warning about tumors, as we documented in our Mounjaro weight loss reviews article. This suggests that Farxiga may have a more favorable safety profile.
But how do real Farxiga patients rate and describe the effects of the drug for weight loss? We’ll discuss those questions in the next section.
Real Users Review Farxiga for Weight Loss
A YouTube creator named Jody Bunting who was prescribed Farxiga discusses the drug’s effects on weight:
A TikTok creator named Brandi Harris discusses her experience taking Farxiga for diabetes and its effects on her weight:
@stoneflowjewelryco #diabetestype2 #medication #lifestylechange #mylife #farxiga #actos #medicationtiktok ♬ original sound - Brandi Harris
What Drugs are FDA-Approved for Weight Loss?
As stated in the first section, Farxiga is not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, there are medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss, and that may be a safer option for patients who are unwilling or unable to reduce weight with lifestyle changes alone.
Orlistat and Saxenda are two examples of medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss, and the latter of these two drugs was shown to cause over 17 pounds of weight loss in one year at its highest approved dose.
We recommend you speak with your doctor about weight loss medication. If your doctor doesn’t specialize in weight loss, PlushCare Medical Weight Loss Programs is our top pick for weight loss medication. It’s an online telehealth platform that accepts most major insurers (and also accepts out-of-pocket payment), where patients can get individualized weight loss medication recommendations from a doctor.
There are many FDA-approved weight loss medications available, and speaking about options with a board-certified doctor can make the process simpler and safer.
Interested consumers can check out PlushCare Medical Weight Loss Programs at this link to the brand’s official website, where you can input your health insurance information and see if you’re covered.
Why Are People Using Diabetes Drugs for Weight Loss?
A segment from the TODAY show discusses the recent trend of patients considering diabetes drugs for weight loss, and the TikTok popularity of one specific drug:
Our Clean Weight Loss Picks
There are food-based nutrients which have been shown in medical studies to be effective for weight loss.
Dietary fiber was shown in a medical review published in The Journal of Nutrition to cause 16 pounds of weight loss in 6 months when combined with moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline).
Supergut Fiber Mix is our recommended fiber supplement, because it contains three different types of fiber powder and no questionable additive ingredients. Interested consumers can check out Supergut Fiber Mix at this link to the product page on the brand's official website, where it retails for under $2 per serving at a subscription rate.
MCT oil is quickly absorbed by the body and increases metabolic rate, which causes fat loss. A 2015 meta-study on MCT oil documented more than one pound of weight loss over 10 weeks. This equates to potential annualized weight loss of 6 pounds per year with less than one tablespoon's worth of MCT oil per day.
Bulletproof MCT Oil is our top MCT oil product, because the only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts. There are no questionable additives. Interested consumers can check out Bulletproof MCT Oil at this link to the product page on the brand's official website, where it currently costs only $15.50 for over a month's worth of product.
Coffee is one of the few whole food ingredients associated with weight loss in clinical trials. A meta-analysis published in the Nutrients journal found that coffee intake was associated with reduced body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
VitaCup Organic Instant Coffee Sticks is our top coffee product for weight loss, due to its convenience. No preparation or machinery is needed. The sticks can be mixed into hot or cold water (or other beverages) and consumed. The only ingredient is organic instant coffee; no questionable additives.
Interested consumers can check out VitaCup Organic Instant Coffee Sticks at this link to the product page on the brand's official website, where they retail for $1 per serving at a subscription rate.
