Author: Charles Frank

What is Januvia used for and how does it work?

It increases your cells ability to utilize glucose (blood sugar) by improving how your insulin works and decreases liver glucose production and absorption. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Januvia and Tradjenta to treat high blood sugar caused by type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Consult your doctor because increased stress may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar testing. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include increased thirst/urination.

Before initiating JANUVIA, ask patients about a history of heart failure or other risk factors for heart failure including moderate to severe renal impairment. Januvia (sitagliptin) is an oral types 2 diabetes medicine that can help you lower your blood sugar and reach your target goals. It typically does not cause low blood sugar or weight gain when used alone without other diabetes medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Januvia and metformin to treat high blood sugar caused by type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. Metformin is also approved to treat type 2 diabetes in children.

Are there any natural alternatives I can use instead of Januvia to help control my blood sugar?

See “Kidney failure” under “Januvia precautions” below for details. Type 1 diabetes is thought to involve a problem with your immune system. When a person has type 1 diabetes, their immune system gets confused and attacks the production of insulin. If you have problems swallowing Januvia tablets, talk with your doctor. They can recommend strategies that make swallowing tablets easier. Or they may recommend other medications that are easier for you to take.

1. Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor, which is believed to exert its actions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones.
2. If you’ve ever had a condition called pancreatitis (swollen pancreas), taking Januvia may cause your pancreatitis to flare up.
3. It is often used to diagnose as well as monitor type 2 diabetes.
4. Clinical data described below suggest that sitagliptin is not susceptible to clinically meaningful interactions by coadministered medications (Table 5).
5. Your doctor may have you stop taking Januvia if you have severe and disabling joint pain.

If you want to stop taking Januvia, first talk with your doctor. Your doctor will also recommend other ways to help manage your diabetes. If you’re interested in taking cinnamon, chromium, or another natural alternative to help treat type 2 diabetes, talk with your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems. If you have a history of kidney problems, certain side effects of Januvia might be more likely to occur.

Januvia Images

They can recommend the best way to avoid becoming pregnant. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain herbs. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

In the 18-week study, 521 patients were randomized to placebo, JANUVIA 100 mg, or JANUVIA 200 mg, and in the 24-week study 741 patients were randomized to placebo, JANUVIA 100 mg, or JANUVIA 200 mg. Patients who failed to meet specific glycemic goals during the studies were treated with metformin rescue, added on to placebo or JANUVIA. Across clinical studies, the incidence of laboratory adverse reactions was similar in patients treated with JANUVIA 100 mg compared to patients treated with placebo. A small increase in white blood cell count (WBC) was observed due to an increase in neutrophils. Mean (SE) increases in serum creatinine were observed in patients treated with JANUVIA [0.12 mg/dL (0.04)] and in patients treated with placebo [0.07 mg/dL (0.07)]. The clinical significance of this added increase in serum creatinine relative to placebo is not known.

Do not give JANUVIA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. These are not all the possible side effects of JANUVIA. Sitagliptin is not an inhibitor of CYP isozymes CYP3A4, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, 1A2, 2C19 or 2B6, and is not an inducer of CYP3A4.

Some brands of this medication should be stored in their original container and used within 3 months of opening the bottle. You should not use Januvia if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). It’s not known if Januvia is safe to take during pregnancy.

Will I need to take insulin with Januvia?

If you realize that you’ve missed a dose of Januvia, take it as soon as you can. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

The fraction of sitagliptin reversibly bound to plasma proteins is low (38%). Sitagliptin administered to female rats from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 caused no functional or behavioral toxicity in offspring of rats at doses up to 1000 mg/kg. Assess renal function prior to initiation of JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. JANUVIA Tablets contain sitagliptin phosphate, an orally-active inhibitor of the dipeptidyl peptidase4 (DPP-4) enzyme.

If you’ve had heart failure in the past, taking Januvia may increase your chance of developing the condition again. See the “Januvia precautions” section below to learn more. Serious side effects from Januvia are not common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Be sure to check your blood sugar according to your doctor’s instructions while taking Januvia.

And they act in the same way to manage type 2 diabetes. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Januvia manufacturer’s website to see if they have support options. Instead, Januvia is prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. To learn more about this condition, see the “What is Januvia used for?

What is JANUVIA?

Sitagliptin is a P-gp substrate, but does not inhibit P-gp mediated transport of digoxin. Based on these results, sitagliptin is considered unlikely to cause interactions with other drugs that utilize these pathways. There is no information regarding the presence of JANUVIA in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Sitagliptin is present in rat milk and therefore possibly present in human milk [see Data]. Our Januvia (sitagliptin) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar such as fruit juice, crackers, or a non-diet soda that contains sugar. However, some patients cannot reach their goal with metformin alone and need extra medication. The expiration date helps guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications.