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Home > Drug Category > Diabetic Medications and Products > Januvia and Equivalent

Januvia Information

Januvia (Sitagliptin) is primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, often in combination with diet and exercise. Its active ingredient is sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It works by selectively inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, which breaks down incretin hormones released by the gut after a meal. By blocking this enzyme, sitagliptin allows these hormones to remain active longer, stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin and signaling the liver to reduce its production of sugar. This response is glucose-dependent, meaning this medication appears to work most effectively when blood sugar levels are actually elevated.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body either develops a resistance to insulin or the pancreas fails to produce enough of it, leading to persistently high blood glucose. If left unmanaged, this excess sugar can eventually damage vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and nerves. Sitagliptin helps refine the body's natural regulatory systems, thereby lowering HbA1c levels without the significant risk of weight gain seen with some older medications. Because it only triggers insulin release when sugar is present, it is also less likely to cause hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, which can be a common frustration for those managing the disease.

Januvia Side Effects

Like all medications, this medication may cause some side effects. Some common side effects include arm, leg, or back pain, constipation, headache, itching, muscle pain, nausea, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if these common side effects persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Joint pain;
• Muscle damage with symptoms like unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, or brown or discoloured urine;
• Pancreatitis with symptoms such as prolonged, severe abdominal pain with or without vomiting;
• Signs of kidney problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, shortness of breath, passing little or no urine;
• Signs of low blood sugar such as headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, and feeling jittery (While Januvia has a low risk of causing low blood sugar on its own, the risk increases significantly if taken with insulin or sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glyburide).

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Januvia Precautions

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to sitagliptin, or any other ingredient in Januvia. Before using this medication, ensure you inform your doctor about any medical conditions you previously or currently have, including the following:
• Alcohol dependence;
• Gallstones;
• Heart disease, such as heart failure and heart attack;
• High blood cholesterol levels;
• Kidney disease;
• Liver disease;
• Pancreatitis;
• Weakened immune system

This medication is not for use in individuals with type 1 diabetes or a diabetic emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis. Always check your blood sugar regularly and report any unusually high or low readings to your healthcare provider. The safety of Januvia during pregnancy has not been established in humans. Most guidelines suggest that other treatments, such as insulin, might be preferred during this time to maintain strict blood sugar control. It is currently unknown if sitagliptin passes into human breast milk. It is generally recommended not to breastfeed while taking this medication. Januvia is not for use in children. This medication should be used with caution in older adults, as they may be more prone to its adverse effects.

While this medication has less risk of causing severely low blood sugar, when taken alongside medications like glimepiride or insulin, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) increases significantly. Sitagliptin may slightly increase digoxin levels. While the change is often small, it is usually recommended to monitor patients who are on both drugs. Therefore, inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications, that you are taking before starting Januvia to prevent potential drug interactions. Take one 100 mg tablet by mouth exactly once every day. You may swallow the medication with or without a meal. Swallow the tablet whole rather than crushing or chewing it. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for you. Check out the leaflet in the medication pack for more usage details. Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Januvia?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Januvia.