Comprehensive medication guide to Xigduo XR including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER on commercial plans; brand Xigduo XR often requires prior authorization or step therapy and may be on a high cost tier; most Medicare Part D plans require prior auth or prefer the generic.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$574–$594 retail for brand Xigduo XR; as low as $168–$290 with a GoodRx coupon for generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER at select pharmacies for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Xigduo XR is a brand-name prescription combination tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca, first approved by the FDA on October 29, 2014. It combines two active ingredients: dapagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor, the same ingredient found in Farxiga) and metformin hydrochloride extended-release (a biguanide, the most widely prescribed oral diabetes medication in the world). Together, these two medications work through complementary mechanisms to lower blood sugar levels in adults and children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Xigduo XR is taken once daily in the morning with food. It is available in five dosage strengths: 2.5/1000 mg, 5/500 mg, 5/1000 mg, 10/500 mg, and 10/1000 mg (dapagliflozin/metformin). The maximum daily dose is 10 mg dapagliflozin and 2,000 mg metformin. Tablets should be swallowed whole — never crushed, cut, or chewed, as this would destroy the extended-release mechanism.
In 2026, Xigduo XR has expanded indications beyond blood sugar control. The dapagliflozin component is also FDA-approved to reduce risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in adults with T2DM and established cardiovascular disease, and to reduce progression of chronic kidney disease. Generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER was approved by the FDA in early 2026, providing a more affordable bioequivalent option.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Xigduo XR works through two distinct and complementary mechanisms, one from each active ingredient. Dapagliflozin inhibits sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), a protein in the kidneys that normally recycles glucose back into the bloodstream. By blocking SGLT2, dapagliflozin allows approximately 60-70 grams of excess glucose to be excreted in the urine daily, directly lowering blood sugar levels without depending on insulin function.
Metformin extended-release works primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production (the liver's overproduction of glucose is a key driver of T2DM hyperglycemia), improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, and slowing intestinal glucose absorption after meals. The extended-release formulation delivers metformin gradually, reducing gastrointestinal side effects compared to immediate-release versions.
Together, these mechanisms reduce A1C by approximately 1-2 percentage points depending on baseline. Additionally, dapagliflozin's glucosuric and natriuretic effects reduce fluid volume in blood vessels, explaining its beneficial effects on blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease progression — leading to separate FDA approvals for heart failure (2020) and chronic kidney disease (2021).
2.5 mg/1000 mg — extended-release tablet
Starting dose for patients transitioning from higher metformin doses
5 mg/500 mg — extended-release tablet
Initial dose for patients new to dapagliflozin on lower metformin doses
5 mg/1000 mg — extended-release tablet
Common dose for blood sugar control in T2DM
10 mg/500 mg — extended-release tablet
Higher dapagliflozin dose for patients requiring additional glycemic or cardio-renal benefit
10 mg/1000 mg — extended-release tablet
Maximum recommended dose; used for heart failure and CKD indications
Xigduo XR is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, but availability at the pharmacy level is genuinely inconsistent. Many patients report difficulty finding it — particularly the brand-name product — due to the brand-to-generic transition underway in 2026. Multiple generic manufacturers, including Aurobindo and Lupin, received FDA approval for generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER in early 2026, and distribution is still ramping up.
Insurance coverage further complicates access: most Medicare Part D plans and many commercial plans do not routinely cover brand Xigduo XR, or require prior authorization and step therapy before approving it. As generic coverage expands through 2026, availability and affordability should improve substantially.
If you're having trouble finding Xigduo XR or generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication name, dosage, and zip code, and medfinder will call pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock. Results are texted to you directly.
Xigduo XR is not a controlled substance, which means any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write a prescription for it. There are no DEA registration requirements, no mandatory in-person visit rules, and no restrictions on supply quantity. The following types of providers commonly prescribe Xigduo XR:
Endocrinologists — specialists in diabetes, hormones, and metabolism
Primary care physicians (internal medicine, family medicine) — prescribe the majority of Xigduo XR in the US
Cardiologists — prescribe for heart failure and cardiovascular risk reduction indications
Nephrologists — prescribe for chronic kidney disease indication
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — can prescribe with full prescriptive authority in most states
Xigduo XR can also be prescribed through telehealth platforms. Because it is not a controlled substance, providers can prescribe it remotely after reviewing relevant lab results (eGFR, A1C). Major telehealth platforms including Teladoc Health, MDLive, and Sesame Care offer diabetes management services that can include prescribing Xigduo XR or its generic equivalent.
No. Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin extended-release) is not a controlled substance. It is not classified under any DEA schedule. This means there are no special prescribing restrictions, no limits on prescription quantities, and no requirements for in-person visits to receive a prescription — unlike Schedule II-V controlled substances.
Xigduo XR can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority, including physicians (MDs, DOs), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. It can also be prescribed via telehealth platforms, as there are no in-person visit requirements. Prescriptions can be written for 90-day supplies and transferred between pharmacies without restriction. Generic substitution is permitted unless the prescriber specifies otherwise.
The following side effects occurred in more than 5% of patients in clinical trials:
Female genital mycotic infections (yeast infections)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Nasopharyngitis (cold-like symptoms)
Diarrhea (from metformin component)
Headache
Increased urination (expected mechanism of action)
Nausea (from metformin component; usually improves within 2-4 weeks)
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Lactic acidosis (boxed warning): Rare but potentially fatal; symptoms include muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, feeling cold
Diabetic ketoacidosis: Nausea, vomiting, fruity breath, extreme fatigue — seek emergency care
Urosepsis/pyelonephritis: Fever, back pain, UTI symptoms — call your doctor immediately
Necrotizing fasciitis (Fournier's gangrene): Very rare; severe genital/rectal pain, swelling with fever — emergency
Dehydration and hypotension: Dizziness, lightheadedness on standing — notify prescriber
Vitamin B12 deficiency: From long-term metformin use; monitor annually
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Synjardy XR (empagliflozin/metformin ER)
Once-daily SGLT2/metformin combination; empagliflozin has strong cardiovascular outcome data (EMPA-REG OUTCOME); often preferred by insurance formularies
Invokamet XR (canagliflozin/metformin ER)
Once-daily SGLT2/metformin combination; carries boxed warning for lower limb amputation risk not present with Xigduo XR
Farxiga + generic metformin XR (separate)
Same active ingredients as Xigduo XR in two separate pills; often more available and may be less expensive
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Single-agent SGLT2 inhibitor; preferred for patients who cannot tolerate metformin or primarily need heart failure/CKD benefit
Prefer Xigduo XR? We can find it.
Insulin / Sulfonylureas
majorIncreased risk of hypoglycemia; reduce insulin or sulfonylurea dose when combining with dapagliflozin
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (topiramate)
majorIncreased risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis; monitor more frequently
Alcohol
majorPotentiates metformin effect on lactate metabolism; excessive alcohol is contraindicated
Iodinated contrast agents
majorHold Xigduo XR before contrast procedures; recheck kidney function 48 hours after
Cationic drugs (ranolazine, dolutegravir, cimetidine)
moderateReduce metformin clearance, increasing accumulation and lactic acidosis risk
Loop diuretics / thiazides
moderateAmplify diuretic effect of dapagliflozin; increased dehydration and hypotension risk
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
moderateFrequent use can reduce renal function and increase metformin accumulation
Xigduo XR is a well-established, FDA-approved combination tablet that has been a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management since 2014. Its unique combination of dapagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) and extended-release metformin (a biguanide) provides dual-mechanism blood sugar control with additional proven benefits for heart and kidney health. The once-daily morning dosing improves adherence compared to taking two separate pills.
In 2026, the major story for Xigduo XR is the brand-to-generic transition. Generic dapagliflozin/metformin ER was approved by the FDA in early 2026 and is becoming more widely available. This will lower costs significantly and expand formulary coverage for patients previously priced out of the brand. Patients on brand Xigduo XR should ask their pharmacist about the generic, which is bioequivalent and often substantially cheaper.
If you're struggling to find Xigduo XR or its generic at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help. Simply enter your medication, dosage, and location, and medfinder will call pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones have it in stock — then text you the results, saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini