Adipex vs. Farxiga

See how Adipex and Farxiga compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Adipex is a short-term stimulant for weight loss, while Farxiga is a long-term medication for diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease, not a weight-loss drug.

  • Both are taken as oral tablets or capsules, but they come from completely different drug classes with different risks and monitoring needs.

  • Farxiga carries FDA approval for four separate conditions including heart failure and chronic kidney disease, while Adipex is approved only for a few weeks of obesity treatment.

Adipex vs. Farxiga Drug Summary

Adipex

Adipex (phentermine) is a stimulant-class appetite suppressant approved for short-term weight loss in adults with obesity, used alongside diet and exercise. It is taken once or twice daily as an oral tablet or capsule, generally for only a few weeks at a time.

Farxiga

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. It is taken as a single oral tablet once daily, and any weight loss during treatment is a secondary effect, not an approved use.

Adipex vs. Farxiga Side Effects

Adipex

Most common
Insomnia (not specified)
Dizziness (not specified)
Restlessness (not specified)
Dry mouth (not specified)

Farxiga

Most common
Genital fungal infection (6.9%)
Nasopharyngitis (6.3%)
Urinary tract infections (4.3%)
Back pain (4.2%)

Adipex vs. Farxiga Dosage

Adipex

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 18.75 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 15 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Farxiga

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 10 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Adipex vs. Farxiga Indications

Adipex

Adipex is FDA-approved only for short-term weight loss, typically just a few weeks, as an adjunct to diet and exercise in adults with obesity. It is not approved for long-term or chronic weight management.

  • Short-term (a few weeks) weight-loss aid for adults with obesity

  • Used alongside diet and exercise, not as a standalone treatment

  • Not approved for chronic or long-term weight management

  • Not approved for use in patients 16 and younger

Farxiga

Farxiga is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, including children 10 and older with diabetes. It is not approved for weight loss, though modest weight loss can occur as a side effect.

  • Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, ages 10 and up

  • Reduces heart failure hospitalization risk with cardiovascular risk factors

  • Treats heart failure to lower cardiovascular death and hospitalization

  • Slows kidney function decline in chronic kidney disease

Adipex vs. Farxiga Pros and Cons

Adipex

Adipex offers rapid appetite suppression at a low cost, but its use is restricted to short courses due to abuse potential and cardiovascular risk. It is a controlled substance requiring careful monitoring, especially in people with heart conditions.

Pros

  • Effective appetite suppression, often felt within days

  • Low list price, roughly $50 to $150 a month

  • Widely available in low-cost generic form nationwide

Cons

  • Approved for only a few weeks of use, not long-term therapy

  • Schedule IV controlled substance with abuse and dependence potential

  • Contraindicated in people with heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure

  • Common stimulant side effects like insomnia and restlessness

Farxiga

Farxiga provides long-term protection for the heart and kidneys in addition to blood sugar control, but it carries a higher price tag and specific infection risks. It requires kidney function monitoring and is not intended as a weight-loss drug.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for four separate conditions, including heart failure and CKD

  • Suitable for long-term daily use, not just short courses

  • Simple once-daily dosing with only two dose strengths

Cons

  • Roughly $400 to $785 a month before insurance or savings programs

  • Increased risk of genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections

  • Rare but serious risk of Fournier's gangrene and ketoacidosis

  • Not approved or intended for weight loss

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