The following side effects don’t occur commonly but are serious when they do. It is very important to familiarise yourself with the symptoms below and know when to seek immediate medical help.
Contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away if you have any of the following side effects.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
If you have diabetes, you are at increased risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as DKA, when you are unwell. DKA is a serious but rare condition in people with type 2 diabetes, affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people.
DKA occurs when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to allow blood glucose into your cells to use for energy, so it starts to use fat instead. When fat is used for energy, chemicals called ketones are released. Ketones can make your blood become acidic – hence the name acidosis.
Signs of DKA:
- Increased levels of ketones in your urine or blood
- Feeling and/or being sick
- Stomach pain
- Excessive thirst
- Fast and deep breathing
- Confusion
- Unusual sleepiness or drowsiness
- A sweet smell to your breath, a sweet or metallic taste in your mouth or a different odour to your urine or sweat
- Rapid weight loss
The risk of developing DKA may be increased with prolonged fasting, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, sudden reductions in insulin dose, or a higher need of insulin due to major surgery or serious illness.
When you are treated with Forxiga, DKA can occur even if your blood glucose is normal.
If you suspect you have DKA, contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away. Your doctor may decide to temporarily or permanently stop your treatment with Forxiga.
Visit the ‘Need answers?’ section of this site for more info about diabetes and sick day rules.
Fournier’s gangrene
Fournier’s gangrene is a very rare but serious soft tissue infection of the genitals and surrounding areas. It needs to be treated immediately.
Contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away if you develop pain, tenderness, redness and/or swelling around the genitals or the area between the genitals and the anus, along with fever or feeling generally unwell.
Angioedema
Angioedema is seen very rarely (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people). Signs of angioedema include:
- Swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- Difficulties swallowing
- Hives and breathing problems
Contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away if you have any of the symptoms above.
