Compare Farxiga vs. Actos

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

Prescription only

Actos (pioglitazone)

Prescription only
Lowers blood sugar.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) can be used together with other diabetes medicines to help lower your blood sugar, but it can be expensive because it's brand name.

Lowers blood sugar.

Actos (pioglitazone) can improve blood sugar control but is not a top choice since it has a lot of side effects.

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3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos
Upsides
  • Can lower A1c by 1% (A1c measures your average blood sugar over time.)
  • Can help you lose weight.
  • Less chance of low blood sugar than other diabetes medicines.
  • Improves sugar control and lowers A1c levels by around 1%.
  • Easily taken by mouth as a once a day pill.
  • Prevents the harmful effects of high sugar levels on your organs.
  • Rarely causes low blood sugar.
  • Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Downsides
  • Not a first choice medicine for diabetes because it doesn't lower blood sugar as much as other medicines.
  • Higher risk of genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
  • This is an expensive medication with no generic available at this time.
  • Not shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes like other similar medicines because it can increase cholesterol.
  • Not a good choice if you drink a lot of alcohol.
  • May take several weeks to lower blood sugar.
  • Can cause weight gain.
  • People with heart failure or history of bladder cancer shouldn't use this medicine.
  • Some people might get fluid accumulation (edema), from minor ankle swelling to fluid in lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
  • Raises the risk of bone fractures, especially for people who already have a risk for fractures.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$469.84
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Lowest price
$10.45
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Reviews
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175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
13possible side effects
  • Female yeast infection
    8%
  • Common cold symptoms
    7%
  • Urinary tract infection
    6%
  • Back pain
    3%
  • Increased urination
    3%
  • Male yeast infection
    3%
  • Nausea
    3%
  • Flu
    3%
  • Increased cholesterol
    2%
  • Constipation
    2%
  • Discomfort with urination
    2%
  • Pain in hands and feet
    2%
  • Mild low blood sugar
    2%
See more detailed side effects
11possible side effects
  • Low blood sugar
    27%
  • Swelling
    27%
  • Colds and flu
    13%
  • Headache
    9%
  • Heart failure
    8%
  • Sinus infection
    6%
  • Back pain
    6%
  • Pain in arms and legs
    6%
  • Muscle pain
    5%
  • Sore throat
    5%
  • Chest pain
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Genital yeast infection
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Low blood pressure
    • Taking water pills for blood pressure
    • Over age 65
    • Kidney problems
  • Kidney problems
    • Kidney damage
    • Taking water pills, ACE inhibitors or ARBs for blood pressure
    • Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
    • Heart failure
  • Increased acid and ketones in the blood
    • Long periods of fasting
    • Alcohol abuse
    • Dehydration
    • History of pancreatitis
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Heart failure
    • Heart failure
  • Fluid buildup
  • Liver damage
    • Current liver problems
  • Bladder cancer
    • History of bladder cancer
  • Bone fracture
    • Women
  • Low blood sugar
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
Learn more about Actos (pioglitazone)