Two medicines, side by side
Dapagliflozin vs metformin
Dapagliflozin and metformin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapagliflozin since 2014 and of metformin since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.184 per dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet and $0.0145 per metformin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
Check it at the source: the dapagliflozin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 3, 2026); the metformin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2026).
Highlights of the dapagliflozin record
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) · label of June 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFARXIGA (dapagliflozin) is indicated: • To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular (CV) death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression. • To reduce the risk of CV death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 8, 2014
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.184 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the metformin record
Metformin (Glucophage) · label of September 3, 2026
WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are biguanide indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 80 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0145 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 61
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapagliflozin label of June 3, 2026, Metformin label of September 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapagliflozin and metformin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
How each works, in its label's words: Dapagliflozin, “Dapagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2.”; Metformin, “Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Dapagliflozin, “The mean plasma terminal half-life (t ½ ) for dapagliflozin is approximately 12.9 hours following a single oral dose of …”; Metformin, “Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the …”
Only the metformin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: dapagliflozin since 2026; metformin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapagliflozin | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Chronic kidney disease, Heart failure, Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor | Biguanide |
| How it works (label) | Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), expressed in the proximal renal tubules, is responsible for the majority of the reabsorption of filtered glucose from the tubular lumen. Dapagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2. | Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean plasma terminal half-life (t ½ ) for dapagliflozin is approximately 12.9 hours following a single oral dose of FARXIGA 10 mg. | Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 8, 2014 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2026 | January 24, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 80 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.184 per tablet (Dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet) | $0.0145 per tablet (Metformin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -98% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 61 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 56,884 | 410,076 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Dapagliflozin label, drug interactionsCoadministered Drug (Dose Regimen) Single dose unless otherwise noted.: Metformin (1000 mg); Dapagliflozin (Dose Regimen): 20 mg; Effect on Dapagliflozin Exposure [% Change (90% CI)]: ↔; ↔
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dapagliflozin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions