Heart Medications.

I take empagliflozin, which is likely in the same category, for heart disease and T2 diabetes, I have no problems with it

Why would it be obvious CariadAgain? AstraZeneca make Dapagliflozin, which is the topic of this thread and the company's highest earner.

beautybumble on BHF website there is a link to a forum for people with heart problems. I am on there under a different user name . And people there are the experts because they are coping with their own heart problems but I know they have helped me and hopefully I have helped others as well.

If you could tell your friend to join it there are men and women on there of all ages who will share their journeys and experiences of various medications and procedures.

Plus he can always phone a BHF nurses who are very helpful and knowledgeable.

Wishing him well and he's lucky to have a friend like you who cares so much to try and help him . 🌹🌹

growstuff

CariadAgain

argymargy

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

For people that think that way - I've got a good book written by a woman recently that was one of the people Astra Zeneca was tried out on - and how suddenly and how badly she got ill because of it. Finishing with how many more people in the same position she met. As at the closing of her book - neither she nor any of the other guineapigs got the compensation they'd had down in writing they'd be legally due for from Astra Zeneca - despite chasing and chasing them for it.

For anyone else - if they are prepared to take conventional medical drugs - it makes sense to check out anything that is listed re possible side-effects. It also makes sense to see if there are any substitute drugs for the one prescribed and then make one's own decision on whether to take drug a, drug b (something else) or try and find out if there are any complementary remedies instead. My mother was prone to ringing and asking me to check out for any possible side-effects for any drugs the doctor prescribed and then she'd either take nothing or ask for a substitute instead if she didn't like the sound of it.

AstraZeneca produce hundreds of drugs. Which one do you mean?

Sorry - I guess it's so obvious to people normally - ie "that" drug - the "Covid jab".

I feel I had a very lucky escape there from that one personally - as I rang up and asked where they would have wanted me to have "that" jab and which one they would have used "If I was going to allow you - which I'm not...". It was Astra Zeneca - and I'm from a heart attack family! Cue for they were all informed firmly never to contact me in any fashion ever to offer me that jab and it mostly worked - through they did try a couple of times and were told very firmly that I had said never to contact me and so "Why are you - when I said not to. Don't do it again - I don't want to be hassled" and their final attempt was "We have made an appointment for you to have a flu jab and btw ...whilst you're there you could have a Covid jab straight afterwards" and they got told again "I said not to contact me about this!!!!!!" and that worked/ they finally "heard" me that time and havent done so since about that.

Well said charley68. I take Dapagliflozin for T2 diabetes. When the diabetic nurse changed three years ago, the new one couldn't believe that I hadn't been prescribed it much earlier. I had a heart attack in 2017, so it's been a double whammy for me. She went through all the side effects with me and especially stressed that I should have plenty of fluids. I had to stop taking it before cancer surgery and I've been told to ring the surgery if I get very bad diarrhea, which can cause dehydration. I was also warned about any thrush-like symptoms because Dapagliflozin causes urine changes. I was given a testing monitor and strips because it can occasionally cause hypos. Initially, I was having blood tests every three months, but now they're back to annual checks. I also take statins. I'm pleased that all my checks have been in the normal range - thanks to the magic pills! Moreover, I don't have any side effects.

This medication is treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, it lowers blood glucose levels by excreting it through the kidneys. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart failure (that is the heart not as strong as it otherwise would be) and kidney failure/disease too (kidneys not functioning as well as should do).
Diabetes has always caused these problems, along with other problems, if not well controlled, so this medication is a good thing. A yearly review is ideal to check kidney function, along with usual diabetes management. The patient information leaflet is full of good advice.

Americans and drug/medicine use/reviews/advertising is a total anathema to us here in the UK. I have a US friend, who says that there are constant ads on TV for all and any medicines to treat anything and everything; and then you try to persuade your doctor to give it to you, and then if your insurance will say if your policy will pay for it!!!!!

Here in the UK, the ads on TV will be for paracetamol, brufen - various manufacturers, and all contain the same active compounds; vitamins, again various companies etc, etc.
We leave it to the GP/Hospital consultant to prescribe actual treatments, and hope that they are aware of the latest guidelines, and latest evidence based practice.
Sometimes we ask in online fora for advice about medicines we have been prescribed!!!!!

My consultant started me on 10mg of Dapagliflozin for my diabetes. It’s supposed to help my kidneys to get glucose from my kidneys . I have no heart problems at all and no side effects from the drug .

OldFrill

argymargy

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

Not familiar with the Yellow Card Scheme?

Yes, completely familiar thank you. A reporting system that is used to monitor side effects of medicines after they are launched. Data are used to update marketing authorisations (licences). Very different from a "google review".

I take this drug for a kidney problem. No side effects whatsoever.

We both take it for T2 diabetes. No worries at all 😊

Don't go by online recommendations from strangers, speak to GP or hospital doctor (whoever prescribed) or a pharmacist. They're probably far more qualified to give advice.

DH was in this for a while. Has heart failure & this is considered as a ‘gold standard’ drug. It suited him very well. He also lost half a stone very quickly (down to 9’) because it’s a diuretic so you do need to keep hydrated on it. It was stopped due to surgery & some unrelated urological issues but he was well on it. Hope that helps.

CariadAgain

argymargy

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

For people that think that way - I've got a good book written by a woman recently that was one of the people Astra Zeneca was tried out on - and how suddenly and how badly she got ill because of it. Finishing with how many more people in the same position she met. As at the closing of her book - neither she nor any of the other guineapigs got the compensation they'd had down in writing they'd be legally due for from Astra Zeneca - despite chasing and chasing them for it.

For anyone else - if they are prepared to take conventional medical drugs - it makes sense to check out anything that is listed re possible side-effects. It also makes sense to see if there are any substitute drugs for the one prescribed and then make one's own decision on whether to take drug a, drug b (something else) or try and find out if there are any complementary remedies instead. My mother was prone to ringing and asking me to check out for any possible side-effects for any drugs the doctor prescribed and then she'd either take nothing or ask for a substitute instead if she didn't like the sound of it.

AstraZeneca produce hundreds of drugs. Which one do you mean?

Granmarderby10

Well argymargy while it is true that all drugs here are extensively tested and are safe when taken according to instructions there is the possibility that for example, some types of statin whiles “doing what they say on the tin” can sometimes and after only a short while begin to make you feel quite grotty.
Things have moved on this twenty or so years thankfully, but it
was often implied if not said by then GPs that I was perhaps imagining the symptoms after studying the contraindications listed on the leaflet that accompanies the meds.
I believe a similar rigmarole was endured by women and their arrogant GPs who were taking the early contraceptive pills ..it is so often women who are not listened too.
And so sometimes it is heartening to read of others experiences if only to ascertain that you are not going around the bend or just being a mardy snowflake.

With you re statins - they want me on them and I won't do so. I've worked out a programme of supplements instead.

The contraceptive pills are the only medical drug I've ever taken for more than a couple of weeks (early 1970s - so I think probably still counting as "early contraceptive pills".) But I'd read a "Which" article or similar and that was the only thing recommended as 99% safe and so there was no option. Other than live like a nun or have goodness knows how many abortions back at that time - until blessing of blessings and Marie Stopes started doing sterilisation operations on women (which I darn well had to travel and pay for - thanks to an NHS that is still to this day uncooperative at doing that for women - but not for men for some strange reason). That's one of the reasons I'm suspicious of the NHS - as why are they treating women differently to men - still? One of my reasons for distrusting them...

argymargy

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

For people that think that way - I've got a good book written by a woman recently that was one of the people Astra Zeneca was tried out on - and how suddenly and how badly she got ill because of it. Finishing with how many more people in the same position she met. As at the closing of her book - neither she nor any of the other guineapigs got the compensation they'd had down in writing they'd be legally due for from Astra Zeneca - despite chasing and chasing them for it.

For anyone else - if they are prepared to take conventional medical drugs - it makes sense to check out anything that is listed re possible side-effects. It also makes sense to see if there are any substitute drugs for the one prescribed and then make one's own decision on whether to take drug a, drug b (something else) or try and find out if there are any complementary remedies instead. My mother was prone to ringing and asking me to check out for any possible side-effects for any drugs the doctor prescribed and then she'd either take nothing or ask for a substitute instead if she didn't like the sound of it.

I’m on this drug and have been for nearly 2years ! The Professor of Cardiology said it a super ,duper drug .
It’s been great , apart from it may cause thrush at times , so be aware of that
On a positive note my breathing has been so much better

Thank you for all your comments. It is good to talk and now I feel a bit easier about my friend taking this.

I’m on it Bumble. No side effects at all that I’m aware of…
I’ve been on it for 18months and feel better for it.
I would 100% recommend it.

Dh is on Bisoprolol and Spirolactone having had heart valve replacement 9 years ago. A viral infection decreased his heart function and an Ace Inhibitor, Ramipril, was considered but it can increase potassium levels and he is near the top of the acceptable range. It has now been suggested he might like to try something like the drug you have been recommended. I read up on it and it is relatively new for heart failure. It first came in for type 2 diabetes but it seems to improve heart function as well. Dh is talking to the heart failure nurse about it. What does the friend’s heart consultant have to say?

Well argymargy while it is true that all drugs here are extensively tested and are safe when taken according to instructions there is the possibility that for example, some types of statin whiles “doing what they say on the tin” can sometimes and after only a short while begin to make you feel quite grotty.
Things have moved on this twenty or so years thankfully, but it
was often implied if not said by then GPs that I was perhaps imagining the symptoms after studying the contraindications listed on the leaflet that accompanies the meds.
I believe a similar rigmarole was endured by women and their arrogant GPs who were taking the early contraceptive pills ..it is so often women who are not listened too.
And so sometimes it is heartening to read of others experiences if only to ascertain that you are not going around the bend or just being a mardy snowflake.

argymargy

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

Not familiar with the Yellow Card Scheme?

I avoid any meds reviews written by people who have to pay for their meds, and stick to UK ones.
American opinion articles about side effects are often laced with complaints about “Big Pharma” or links that will take you down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories.

Why on earth would you look at drug "reviews"?! Drugs are given licences and prescribed because they have been subjected to extensive clinical trials on thousands of patients. They're not something you "review". Jeez whatever next?

You can read about Dapagliflozin here:

www.cardiomyopathy.org/about-cardiomyopathy/medication

There are loads of YouTube videos recommending it, but some are American and sometimes sponsored by people selling the drug. This one is by a respected charity.

I've been taking Dapagliflozin for three years and haven't had any side effects, although I've been warned about them. The important thing is to drink plenty of water and to have regular (annual) kidney function tests. Patients are advised to stop taking it for a day (or two) before surgery.

Although it's primary use is to help control diabetes, it's also licensed as a heart medication because it's been shown that it protects the heart. Dapagliflozin has been well-researched and has been shown to be safe for most people and to have positive advantages.