What Is Januvia?
Januvia (sitagliptin phosphate) is a prescription remedy used with weight loss program and train to enhance blood sugar (glucose) management in adults with type 2 diabetes.
In kind 2 diabetes, your physique develops heightened resistance towards the hormone insulin. The pancreas produces insulin to assist transfer glucose into the cells. While you develop insulin resistance, the physique wants extra insulin to stabilize glucose ranges. Over time, the pancreas can’t produce sufficient insulin to maintain up.
Januvia belongs to a category of medicines generally known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DDP-4) inhibitors.
DDP-4 inhibitors cut back the quantity of blood sugar your physique makes and assist hold your insulin ranges steady. They work by blocking an enzyme referred to as DDP-4. DDP breaks down the proteins that stimulate insulin manufacturing after a meal. DDP-4 inhibitors block DDP in order that these proteins can activate the discharge of insulin for an extended time frame, which lowers glucose ranges within the blood.
Januvia is an oral remedy out there in pill type.
Drug Info
Generic Title: Sitagliptin
Model Title(s): Januvia
Administration Route(s): Oral
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: DDP-4 inhibitor
Out there Generically: No
Managed Substance: N/A
Lively Ingredient: Sitagliptin
Dosage Type(s): Pill
What Is Januvia Used For?
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted Januvia to be used together with weight loss program and train to enhance blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes.
It shouldn’t be utilized in individuals with kind 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes, when the pancreas produces little or no insulin) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening complication through which the physique produces extra blood acids referred to as ketones).
How you can Use Januvia
Januvia is obtainable as an oral pill. You possibly can take it with or with out meals. Attempt to take your dose across the similar time every day.
Along with taking your remedy, it is vital to recollect to remain in your prescribed weight loss program and train program.
Storage
Individuals ought to retailer Januvia at a managed room temperature, about 68 levels to 77 levels Fahrenheit.
All the time carry your remedy with you. In case you are flying, hold the unique prescription-labeled bottle or field in your carry-on bag. Don’t go away this remedy in your automotive, particularly if the temperature could be very chilly or sizzling.
What Are the Aspect Results of Januvia?
This isn’t an entire listing of unwanted effects and others could happen. A medical skilled can advise you on unwanted effects. For those who expertise different results, contact your pharmacist or a medical skilled. It’s possible you’ll report unwanted effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Widespread Aspect Results
The most typical unwanted effects with Januvia are:
Discuss to your healthcare supplier if any unwanted effects don’t go away or turn into extra extreme.
Extreme Aspect Results
Name your healthcare supplier immediately you probably have severe unwanted effects. Name 911 in case your signs really feel life-threatening or if you happen to assume you’re having a medical emergency.
Critical unwanted effects and their signs can embrace the next:
- Extreme allergic reactions: Signs could embrace hassle respiratory, hives, or swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat.
- Pancreatitis: Signs could embrace swollen or tender stomach (stomach), nausea or vomiting, upset abdomen, unintentional weight reduction, fever, and higher physique ache.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Signs could embrace dizziness, confusion, starvation, headache, quick heartbeat, sweating, feeling jittery, tiredness.
- Pores and skin reactions
- Extreme joint ache
- Extreme kidney issues: Signs could embrace confusion, fatigue, seizures, swelling of the ankles, legs, and ft; nausea, chest ache, and coma.
Report Aspect Results
Januvia could trigger different unwanted effects. Name your healthcare supplier you probably have any uncommon issues whereas taking this remedy.
For those who expertise a severe aspect impact, you or your supplier could ship a report back to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by telephone (800-332-1088).
Dosage: How A lot Januvia Ought to I Take?
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The dose of this medication might be totally different for various sufferers. Observe your physician’s orders or the instructions on the label. The next data contains solely the common doses of this medication. In case your dose is totally different, don’t change it until your physician tells you to take action.
The quantity of medication that you just take will depend on the power of the drugs. Additionally, the variety of doses you are taking every day, the time allowed between doses, and the size of time you are taking the drugs depend upon the medical drawback for which you might be utilizing the drugs.
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For oral dosage type (tablets):
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For kind 2 diabetes:
- Adults—100 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day.
- Kids—Use and dose should be decided by your physician.
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For kind 2 diabetes:
Modification
Sure components could require nearer monitoring of Januvia therapy and potential dosage adjustments. Focus on your medical historical past along with your healthcare supplier.
In case you are 65 years outdated or older, your healthcare supplier could assess your kidney perform extra often. Having decreased kidney perform can require a decrease dose of Januvia. This could embrace individuals with reasonable and extreme kidney impairment, in addition to these with end-stage renal disease who’re on dialysis.
Missed Dose
For those who miss a dose of Januvia, take the missed dose as quickly as you bear in mind. However whether it is nearly time for the subsequent scheduled dose, it’s best to skip the dose you missed. Don’t take further to make up for the missed dose. Doing so can enhance your danger for unwanted effects.
Overdose: What Occurs If I Take Too A lot Januvia?
For those who take an excessive amount of Januvia, you could start to expertise:
- Extreme sweating
- Change in considering or reasoning
- Coronary heart palpitations
- Tremor
What Occurs If I Overdose on Januvia?
For those who assume you or another person could have overdosed on Januvia, name a healthcare supplier or the Poison Management Heart (800-222-1222).
If somebody collapses or is not respiratory after taking Januvia, name 911 instantly.
Precautions
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It is extremely vital that your physician verify your progress at common visits to guarantee that this medication is working correctly and to resolve if you happen to ought to proceed to take it. Blood and urine exams could also be wanted to verify for negative effects.
This medication could trigger severe allergic reactions, together with anaphylaxis, angioedema, or sure pores and skin situations (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). These reactions will be life-threatening and require speedy medical consideration. Name your physician immediately you probably have a rash, itching, blistering, peeling, or free pores and skin, fever or chills, hassle respiratory or swallowing, or any swelling of your palms, face, mouth, or throat while you’re utilizing this medication.
Pancreatitis (swelling and irritation of the pancreas) could happen while you’re utilizing this medication. Test along with your physician immediately you probably have a sudden and extreme abdomen ache, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, lack of urge for food, fever, or lightheadedness.
Test along with your physician immediately you probably have a couple of of those signs: chest ache, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, excessive fatigue, irregular respiratory, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, fingers, ft, or decrease legs, tightness within the chest, hassle respiratory, or weight achieve. These could also be indicators of coronary heart failure.
This medication could trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). That is extra frequent when this medication is taken along with sure medicines. Low blood sugar should be handled earlier than it causes you to cross out (unconsciousness). Individuals really feel totally different signs of low blood sugar. It’s important that you just study which signs you often have so you’ll be able to deal with it rapidly. Discuss to your physician about one of the simplest ways to deal with low blood sugar.
Hyperglycemia (excessive blood sugar) could happen if you don’t take sufficient or skip a dose of your medication, overeat or don’t comply with your meal plan, have a fever or an infection, or don’t train as a lot as normal. Excessive blood sugar will be very severe and should be handled immediately. It’s important that you just study which signs you have got with the intention to deal with it rapidly. Discuss to your physician about one of the simplest ways to deal with excessive blood sugar.
There could also be a time once you want emergency assist for an issue brought on by your diabetes. You should be ready for these emergencies. It’s a good suggestion to put on a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain always. Additionally, carry an ID card in your pockets or purse that claims you have got diabetes with a listing of all of your medicines.
This medication could trigger bullous pemphigoid. Inform your physician you probably have giant, exhausting pores and skin blisters whereas utilizing this medication.
This medication could trigger extreme and disabling joint ache. Name your physician immediately you probably have extreme joint ache whereas utilizing this medication.
Don’t take different medicines until they’ve been mentioned along with your physician. This contains prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and natural or vitamin dietary supplements.
What Are Causes I Shouldn’t Take Januvia?
There are just a few the reason why your healthcare supplier could not select Januvia as a part of your therapy plan, together with the next:
Allergy
An individual shouldn’t take Januvia if they’re allergic to the substances.
Being pregnant
It will not be protected to take Januvia throughout being pregnant. It’s best to speak to your supplier if you’re pregnant or plan to turn into pregnant, to allow them to resolve the most suitable choice for you.
Breastfeeding
It will not be protected to take Januvia whereas breastfeeding. Discuss along with your supplier if you’re breastfeeding to debate the most effective plan for you.
Older Adults
Individuals 65 years or older typically course of medication extra slowly. A decrease dose or totally different schedule could also be required.
Different Well being Circumstances
In sure people, the physique could deal with Januvia otherwise and dosage changes could also be wanted. Earlier than beginning Januvia, inform your supplier you probably have:
What Different Drugs Could Work together With Januvia?
There are just a few drugs that may work together with Januvia:
- Contraception: Birth control pills could make Januvia much less efficient.
- Insulin: Taking each insulin and Januvia could enhance your danger for low blood sugar.
- Lanoxin (digoxin): When taken with digoxin, Januvia could cause an elevated quantity of digoxin in your physique resulting in harmful unwanted effects, equivalent to dizziness, headache, and diarrhea.
This listing doesn’t embrace all medication that may work together with Januvia. Earlier than utilizing Januvia, inform your healthcare supplier about the entire prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, nutritional vitamins, dietary supplements, or herbs you’re taking. This may provide help to keep away from potential interactions. You probably have any questions on drug interactions, converse along with your supplier.
What Drugs Are Related?
Just a few different related drugs used to deal with this kind 2 diabetes embrace:
- Glucophage (metformin)
- Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Glucophage
Glucophage (metformin) is a part of a category of medicines generally known as biguanides. It’s typically prescribed to deal with kind 2 diabetes. Glucophage is obtainable as an oral pill. The most typical unwanted effects embrace nausea, vomiting, weight reduction, diarrhea, or upset abdomen.
Tradjenta
Tradjenta (linagliptin) can be a DDP-4 inhibitor typically prescribed to deal with kind 2 diabetes. It’s out there as an oral pill. Widespread unwanted effects embrace cough, diarrhea, or higher respiratory infections.
This listing is a listing of examples of medicines used to deal with kind 2 diabetes. It’s not a listing of medication beneficial to take with Januvia. Ask your healthcare supplier you probably have any questions.
How Can I Keep Wholesome Whereas Taking Januvia?
Januvia is a protected and efficient remedy when used appropriately. This drug is usually used to deal with kind 2 diabetes.
Whereas Januvia does have the potential for severe unwanted effects equivalent to allergic reactions or pancreatitis, the most typical unwanted effects could also be milder. These have a tendency to incorporate higher respiratory an infection, runny nostril, or headache.
Attempt to comply with your healthcare supplier’s dietary directions and proceed common bodily exercise, in addition to blood glucose monitoring and A1C testing.
It is very important inform your healthcare supplier of your whole different well being situations and any prescription drugs, OTC drugs, nutritional vitamins, dietary supplements, or herbs you’re taking. This manner, your supplier could make the most effective resolution about what remedy and dose work finest for you.
Converse along with your healthcare supplier to study extra about if Januvia is the best remedy for you.
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Well being’s drug data is supposed for instructional functions solely and isn’t supposed as a substitute for medical recommendation, prognosis, or therapy from a healthcare skilled. Seek the advice of your physician earlier than taking any new remedy(s). IBM Watson Micromedex gives among the drug content material, as indicated on the web page.