Maximum Dose of Dapagliflozin
The maximum dose of dapagliflozin is 10 mg orally once daily for all indications, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. 1, 2
Standard Dosing Across All Indications
For cardiovascular and renal protection: The fixed dose is 10 mg once daily, with no titration required or recommended, as all major outcome trials (DAPA-HF, DAPA-CKD, DECLARE-TIMI 58) used this single dose 1, 3, 2
For glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: The starting dose is 5 mg once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg once daily if additional glucose lowering is needed 2, 3
For pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes: The same dosing applies—start at 5 mg daily, with a maximum of 10 mg daily 2
Renal Function Considerations
For patients with eGFR ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m²: The maximum dose remains 10 mg daily for all indications 2, 3
For patients with eGFR 25-44 mL/min/1.73 m²: The dose is still 10 mg daily for cardiovascular and renal protection, though glucose-lowering efficacy is reduced 2, 3
For patients with eGFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m²: Do not initiate dapagliflozin, but if already on treatment, 10 mg daily may be continued until dialysis is required 2, 3
Critical Distinction from Other SGLT2 Inhibitors
Unlike empagliflozin (which has 10 mg and 25 mg doses) or canagliflozin (which has 100 mg and 300 mg doses), dapagliflozin has only one therapeutic maximum: 10 mg daily 1, 4, 5. There is no evidence that higher doses provide additional cardiovascular, renal, or even glycemic benefits 3, 6, 7.
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not attempt to increase dapagliflozin beyond 10 mg daily in any clinical scenario—this is the ceiling dose established by pharmacokinetic studies showing maximal SGLT2 inhibition at doses of 20-50 mg, with 10 mg providing near-maximal effect for 24 hours 6, 8. The FDA-approved maximum is 10 mg, and no higher doses are available or recommended 2.