How Much Water to Drink Daily When Taking Farxiga for Diabetes

Understanding Farxiga and Its Link to Dehydration

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a commonly prescribed medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by causing the kidneys to remove excess sugar from the body through urine. However, this process also causes the body to lose more fluid, which can lead to dehydration if you don't drink enough water.

How Farxiga Causes Dehydration

When taking Farxiga, the kidneys filter out extra glucose into the urine, along with water. This makes your blood sugar levels lower but also makes you urinate more frequently. All that urination causes you to lose more fluid than usual, potentially leading to dehydration.

Some common signs of dehydration include:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Muscle cramps
• Dark yellow and strong smelling urine

The Importance of Staying Hydrated on Farxiga

When you don't drink enough fluids while taking Farxiga, dehydration can occur. Dehydration causes the blood to thicken, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood through the body. Other risks include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Fainting
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Kidney problems
• Severe blood pressure drops upon standing

That's why staying properly hydrated is so important if you're taking Farxiga. Getting enough water helps thinner blood flow more easily, allowing your cardiovascular system to function optimally.

How Much Water Should You Drink on Farxiga?

So exactly how much extra water should you consume while on Farxiga? There are a few factors to consider when determining your personal recommended water intake.

1. Your Medication Dosage

The most common Farxiga dosage for treating type 2 diabetes is 5 mg or 10 mg once daily. Those taking higher doses of 10 mg will generally need to drink more water than those on 5 mg.

One study found that over a course of 3 weeks, patients taking 10 mg Farxiga lost 900 mL more urine output on average compared to the 5 mg group. So the more Farxiga you're taking, the more fluids you'll need to replace.

2. Your Activity Level and Environment

People who workout every day or have very physical jobs will require more hydration than inactive individuals. Exercising causes you to sweat more, resulting in additional fluid losses.

Hot and humid climates also lead to extra sweating, making it vital to compensate by drinking more water throughout the day if you live or work in these conditions.

3. Your Diet

Eating water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, lettuce, broccoli, grapefruit, and tomatoes helps augment your fluid intake. Broths and soups also count towards your daily water needs.

On the other hand, too much caffeine and alcohol can act as natural diuretics, causing even more dehydration. Its smart to limit intake of coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks to avoid necessary fluids being pulled from your body.

4. Your Age and Health Issues

Some groups are more vulnerable to dehydration, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with certain pre-existing conditions like kidney disease or recurrent UTIs. These individuals usually require more constant hydration in general.

General Hydration Guidelines

As a baseline, health experts typically recommend:

• Women: Around 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids per day
• Men: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day

So if youre taking Farxiga, add 1-2 more cups on top of these averages to counteract the increased urination effects.

A good target is drinking a full glass of water with every meal and a few more glasses spaced throughout your workday and exercise sessions. This mimics how much extra urination occurs thanks to Farxiga.

Signs You May Need to Drink More

Pay attention to your thirst cues and urine color. Consistently feeling parched and peeing dark honey-toned urine signals that you need to hydrate more, especially if taking Farxiga.

Also be vigilant about possible dehydration symptoms you may experience like dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness and muscle cramps. These are all telltale indicators you need to gulp down some extra H2O.

The Best Beverages to Drink While on Farxiga

Plain water is hands down the best source of hydration, including mineral water which contains electrolytes like magnesium, calcium and potassium. Coconut water also contains helpful electrolytes to efficiently rehydrate the body.

For a flavor change, you can infuse your water with sliced fruit, vegetables, or herbs. Sparkling water is another tasty option you can drink freely as long as its unsweetened.

Low-fat milk and milk alternatives like almond milk, coconut milk and oat milk also help achieve hydration goals. They contain electrolytes plus protein, vitamin D, and calcium for bone health.

Herbal teas, green tea and black tea can be part of your mix of fluids. Just limit how much you drink since their caffeine content acts as a mild diuretic.

Beverages to Limit While Taking Farxiga

Sugary drinks like juice, pop and sweet tea, sports drinks, and vitamin water will make hydration harder. Stick to sugar-free versions if you really crave them.

Limit alcohol intake to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks daily for men at most. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing you to lose more fluids.

Caffeinated coffee, tea and soda should be kept to a minimum of 1-2 caffeinated beverages per day. As mentioned, caffeine interferes with fluid retention.

Tips for Remembering to Drink Enough Water

When you first start taking Farxiga, closely tracking your water intake can help ensure you meet hydration needs. Here are helpful tips to remember to drink water all day:

• Carry a reusable water bottle with you so its always available
• Set smart phone alerts to remind yourself to drink
• Keep a running tab by using a journal or app to log ounces consumed
• Choose a designated water cup or bottle to empty 3-4 times by dinnertime
• Eat hydrating foods and soup to add to fluid goals
• Infuse pitchers of water in the fridge with fruit for refreshing cold water always ready

Refill your water bottle, cup or glass before its empty so you dont forget or feel too lazy to get up. Place helpful sticky note reminders to drink water around your home or office space too.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Be sure to chat with your healthcare provider if you experience concerning symptoms of dehydration like:

• Racing heart palpitations
• Confusion, trouble concentrating or dizziness
• Fainting suddenly
• Little or no urination for over 6-8 hours

Extreme thirst that doesnt improve after drinking water or unusually dark urine are also reasons to touch base. Keeping your doctor informed ensures you get the care you need to safely manage increased thirst and urination while benefiting from taking Farxiga.

With proper attention to daily hydration needs, you can successfully take Farxiga while avoiding problematic dehydration signs. Drinking enough water lets you reap the most rewards from Farxiga to better control type 2 diabetes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.