Uses
What is Brenzavvy used for?
Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Brenzavvy is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.
Brenzavvy may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Brenzavvy work (mechanism of action)?
Brenzavvy lowers blood sugar levels by helping your body get rid of sugar when you pee.
How is Brenzavvy supplied (dosage forms)?
Brenzavvy is available as a 20 mg oral tablet that is taken by mouth.
How should I store Brenzavvy?
Brenzavvy oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Brenzavvy?
The most common side effects of Brenzavvy are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Yeast infection of the vagina or penis
- Kidney or bladder infections
- Increased frequency or amount of pee
There may be other side effects of Brenzavvy that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Brenzavvy?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Brenzavvy are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Brenzavvy may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Brenzavvy and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Brenzavvy may cause diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes). DKA can be life threatening. Stop taking Brenzavvy and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Feeling very tired, woozy, or confused
- Difficulty breathing
- Your breath smells fruity or sweet
- Very high blood sugar levels (>300 mg/dL)
Dehydration. Brenzavvy may cause dehydration. Dehydration may lead to low blood pressure, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension), or kidney damage. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of dehydration, low blood pressure, or kidney damage.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Confusion
- Unsteadiness
- Peeing less than normal
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
- Loss of appetite/nausea
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Seizures
- Extreme thirst
Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis. Brenzavvy may cause pyelonephritis (a kidney infection) or urosepsis (an untreated urinary tract infection that spreads to your kidney). These are serious infections and may need to be treated in the hospital. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of these serious infections.
- Dark, cloudy, or bloody pee or pee that smells bad
- Fever and chills
- Loss of appetite
- Needing to pee a lot or feeling pain when you pee
- Pain in your lower back, side, or groin
- Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Brenzavvy can cause low blood sugar, especially when combined with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Low blood sugar can be serious and may lead to death. You may need a lower dose of your other diabetes medicine to reduce your risk of hypoglycemia. Do not take Brenzavvy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Necrotizing Fasciitis (Fournier’s Gangrene). Brenzavvy can cause necrotizing fasciitis (an aggressive infection of the skin and the tissue underneath the skin that causes some of the tissue involved to die). Necrotizing fasciitis is rare, but very serious, can lead to death, and may require surgery to treat it. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this serious infection.
- Pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling of the perineum (of and around the anus and genitals)
- Fever
- General feeling of illness or discomfort
Amputations. People who take Brenzavvy may be more likely to have an amputation (limb or part of a limb cut off) than people who do not take Brenzavvy. The toe, part of the foot, or part of the leg were most often involved. Amputations seem more likely in people with diabetes, peripheral artery disease (narrowing of your blood vessels, often in your legs), diabetic foot infections, nerve damage in your legs, or who already had an amputation. Inspect your feet and legs regularly and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have sores, ulcers, or new pain or tenderness, as these may lead to the need for an amputation if not treated.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Brenzavvy?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Brenzavvy.
- Bexagliflozin
- Brenzavvy
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Brenzavvy.
Kidney Problems. Brenzavvy should not be used if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if they are working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about Brenzavvy before using it?
Do not take Brenzavvy unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Brenzavvy with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Brenzavvy out of the reach of children.
Do not chew, cut, or crush Brenzavvy.
Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to manage your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.
People who are 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Brenzavvy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
People who have kidney problems can be at greater risk for some side effects from Brenzavvy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you have kidney problems.
You should take Brenzavvy in the morning. You can take it with or without food.
Brenzavvy will cause your pee to test positive for glucose (sugar).
Your healthcare provider will run lab tests to see how well your kidneys are working and make sure you are not dehydrated before starting Brenzavvy.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Brenzavvy?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Brenzavvy is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Risk Factors for Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis. Your healthcare provider may monitor you more closely or choose a different medicine for you.
- Type 1 diabetes or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis. Your healthcare provider may want you to monitor for ketones (acids made in your liver) if you are taking Brenzavvy
- Decrease in your insulin dose
- Serious infection
- Low-salt diet. Your healthcare provider may suggest you stop using a low-salt diet
- Drink alcohol often or in large amounts
- Pancreas problems, including a history of pancreatitis or surgery on your pancreas
- Dehydration
- Eating or drinking less than normal
- Vomiting or diarrhea
History of Genital Yeast Infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of genital (penis or vagina) yeast infections. This may make it more likely that you will have yeast infections of the vagina or penis while taking Brenzavvy. Your healthcare provider may choose a different medicine for you.
Risk Factors for an Amputation. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following risk factors for an amputation. Your healthcare provider may choose a different medicine for you.
- History of an amputation
- Heart disease or are at high risk for heart disease
- Blood flow problems, especially in your legs
- Nerve problems in your legs
- History of a diabetic foot ulcers or sores
Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- History of kidney or bladder infections or difficulty peeing
- Have surgery or a procedure scheduled
Other Medicines and Supplements. Brenzavvy may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Brenzavvy, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Brenzavvy may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Brenzavvy passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Brenzavvy.
How can I get more information about Brenzavvy?
For more information about Brenzavvy, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at brenzavvy.com or call them at 855-273-6928.
Interactions
Does Brenzavvy interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Brenzavvy and foods or drinks.
Being on a low-salt diet while taking Brenzavvy may increase your risk of dehydration. See the Side Effects section for more details.
Drinking alcohol often or too much alcohol while taking Brenzavvy may increase your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. See the Side Effects section for more details. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Brenzavvy in other ways, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of Brenzavvy. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does Brenzavvy interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Brenzavvy.
- Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
- Other medicines for diabetes
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Brenzavvy. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Brenzavvy. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Brenzavvy?
If you or someone else has used too much Brenzavvy, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Brenzavvy?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin)?
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