This is a multicenter, randomised, open-label, crossover, 2-period comparative phase IV study.

The primary objective is to compare the effect of dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily in combination with metformin at a daily dose of ≤1,500 mg vs. metformin monotherapy with dose titrated up to 2,500 mg/day on the overall quality of life, obesity-specific quality of life and treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The study will comprise the following phases: Screening, Treatment Period 1 and Treatment Period 2.

After screening examinations and assessments, all patients enrolled will be randomly assigned in equal proportion (1:1) to either study arm:

Arm 1:

• Patients will take dapagliflozin 10 mg in combination with metformin ≤ 1,500 mg (daily dose) for 24 weeks during Treatment Period 1
• Patients will be on metformin monotherapy with dose titrated up to 2,500 mg/day for further 24 weeks during Treatment Period 2

Arm 2 (the same treatment phases in reverse order):

• Patients will be on metformin monotherapy with dose titrated up to 2,500 mg/day for 24 weeks during Treatment Period 1
• Patients will take dapagliflozin 10 mg in combination with metformin ≤ 1,500 mg (daily dose) for further 24 weeks during Treatment Period 2 Following the randomisation procedure, patients will receive investigational products at each visit as scheduled by Treatment Period 1. After the Randomisation Visit (Visit 2), the patient should attend the study centre for Visits 3, 4, and 5 (Day 28, Day 86, and Day 168, respectively) for efficacy and safety assessments. At Visit 5 (Day 168), the patient will receive investigational products as required by Treatment Period 2. Further Visits 6, 7 and 8 will be scheduled on Day 196, Day 252, Day 336, respectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

For inclusion in the study patients should fulfil ALL the criteria listed below:

1. A voluntary informed consent form for participation in the study signed by the patient prior to any study-specific procedures
2. Male and female patients of 18-74 years of age
3. Diagnosed type 2 diabetes
4. Therapy with metformin at a stable dose ≤1,500 mg/day for at least 8 weeks before enrolment
5. HbA1c >7.0% and ≤10% at the Screening Visit
6. C-peptide ≥1.0 ng/ml at the Screening Visit
7. Body mass index ≤45.0 kg/m² at the Screening Visit
8. For women of childbearing potential - use of reliable birth control methods
9. Ability to complete study-specific procedures
10. Ability to complete questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Type 1 diabetes
2. Diabetic ketoacidosis at Screening
3. AST and/or ALT > 3 × upper limit of normal at Screening
4. Total serum bilirubin > 34.19 μmol/l at Screening
5. Decompensated diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >10% at Screening)
6. Patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl <60 ml/min or <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at Screening) or terminal renal insufficiency
7. Severe concomitant diseases or severe cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematologic, endocrine, mental or rheumatic pathology
8. Malignancy within 5 years before enrolment
9. Acute (including viral and infectious) diseases within 1 month before the Screening Visit.
10. Development of severe acute diseases during the study which significantly affect the benefit/risk ratio for the subject or affecting study efficacy/safety assessment criteria
11. History of acute myocardial infarction or stroke within 6 months before the Screening Visit or during the study. Heart failure (NYHA III-IV)
12. Treatment with drugs affecting glucose homeostasis (e.g., systemic glucocorticosteroids) within 3 months before to the Screening Visit.
13. For women of childbearing potential - a positive pregnancy test or the patient is breast-feeding or planning pregnancy during the study
14. History of Hepatitis B and C or HIV
15. Individual hypersensitivity to any component of the investigational product (dapagliflozin)
16. Treatment with sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2) has been administered within 3 months prior to enrolment or is planned during the study.
17. Loop diuretics have been administered for 3 months before the Screening Visit or are planned during the study.
18. Hereditary lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption
19. The patient is unable to follow study procedures and attend the study centre for scheduled study visits or is going to relocate within the protocol-specific timelines
20. The patient is a subject of other studies within 3 months before enrolment