Examples
|
| saxagliptin | Onglyza |
| sitagliptin | Januvia |
| sitagliptin and metformin | Janumet |
Janumet is a combination medicine that contains sitagliptin
and metformin.
How It Works
Medicine that contains DPP-4 inhibitors,
such as Januvia, lowers blood sugar.
- Especially after a meal, when blood sugar is
high.
- Between meals.
Januvia lowers high blood sugar (glucose) levels
after a meal or between meals. It does this by helping your body make more
insulin after a meal. It also reduces how much blood sugar your body makes.
Why It Is Used
Januvia is used to lower
blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may be taken alone or along
with other medicines to control blood sugar.
How Well It Works
Januvia can lower blood
sugar levels and improve insulin control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Side Effects
The most common side effects that may
occur with Januvia include:
- An upper respiratory infection.
- A
stuffy or runny nose and sore throat.
- A headache.
The most common side effects that may occur with Janumet
include:
- Stomach
pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- Nausea.
- A
metallic taste.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Before taking Januvia,
tell your doctor if you:
- Have any allergies.
- Have kidney
problems.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, because Januvia
may not be right for you.
- Are breast-feeding or plan to
breast-feed.
People who took this medicine found that they did not gain
weight.
Continue to test your blood sugar, especially 2 to 3 hours
after a meal and after fasting, to see how the medicine is working.
Talk with your doctor right away if you have a fever, an injury, or an
infection, or if you have recently had surgery. Your medicine may need to be
changed.
You may need to stop taking Janumet temporarily before
major surgery or other medical tests or procedures such as X-rays that use
contrast dyes. Talk to your doctor beforehand.
Januvia:
- Has not been studied in children younger than
18 years of age.
- May be
prescribed if other medicines have not worked well for you or if for some
reason you cannot take other medicines.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology |
|---|
| Last Revised | November 3, 2009 |
|---|
