Januvia (Sitagliptin)
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
Januvia aids in lowering blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes. Sitagliptin is another chemical name for it. The generic term for Januvia, Sitagliptin, may be used by your doctor.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
The condition when the body produces insufficient insulin, or the bodies have abnormal responses to the insulin, are symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The pancreas produces and releases insulin in the bloodstream, allowing blood sugar into the cells that your body uses as energy. However, when a person has type 2 diabetes, body cells become resistant to insulin. As a result, your body makes more insulin to get cells to respond, leading to an imbalance, and your blood sugar will rise, leading to type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar can cause serious health problems causing amputation or affecting your heart, vision, and kidneys.
What is Januvia used for?
Januvia class of medications is not used for treating Type 1 diabetes; only type 2 diabetes. Instead, it assists lower blood sugar levels either by itself or in combination with other oral anti-diabetic medications.
How does Januvia work?
Our body has a group of gastrointestinal hormones called incretins. Incretins help the production of insulin as and when the body requires it; for example, after eating also, incretins reduce the production of glucagon by the liver when it is not needed, for example, during digestion. Unfortunately, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) can damage incretins, and the body may not regulate blood glucose levels. Sitagliptin is a class of gliptins for oral diabetes that protect incretins from damage and are known as DDP-4 inhibitors. As a result, gliptins help control blood glucose levels. Sitagliptin is usually prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes who have not responded well to drugs such as metformin and sulphonylureas.
DPP-4 inhibitors may help with weight loss besides decreasing blood sugar levels. However, DPP-4 inhibitors are also associated with higher rates of pancreatitis.
Other medicines in the class of gliptins are:
- Januvia (Sitagliptin)Onglyza (Saxagliptin) 2.5 mg 30 Tablets
- Galvus (Vildagliptin)
- Onglyza (Saxagliptin)
- Tradjenta (Linagliptin)
DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors), which include Januvia, are a broad class of anti-diabetic medications that help you control your insulin levels, particularly after a meal when your blood sugar levels are high. As a result, the effects of insulin and glucagon gradually decrease as your blood sugar levels start to normalize. In addition, this action will prevent an “overshoot,” resulting in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other oral anti-diabetic medications may not have this normalizing benefit.
How to take Janivia (Sitagliptin)?
It would help if you took Januvia once daily, with or without food, as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor might occasionally order blood tests to check the health of your kidneys. Depending on the findings of your blood tests, your doctor could adjust your dose. Additionally, your doctor could advise using Januvia generic along with other diabetes medications. Remember that hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can occur more often when Januvia and certain other diabetes medicines are prescribed.
What is dosage of Januvia?
The recommended dosage is 100 mg once daily, taken with or without food. For patients with mild kidney insufficiency, maintain same dosage. The dose is lowered to 50 mg once daily for patients with moderate kidney insufficiency. For patients with severe kidney insufficiency or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, the dose is lowered to 25 mg once daily. It may be administered without consideration of the timing of dialysis.
Missed Dose – Januvia
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dosage if it is almost time for the following dose. Never take two doses of Januvia on the same day for missed dosages, nor should you take two doses to make up for a missed one.
Warnings and Precautions while using Januvia
Januvia is not used for treating Type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis(increased ketones in the urine or blood); only type 2 diabetes is. If you are allergic to Sitagliptin, stop the medication and consult your doctor. Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, has been found in certain patients, and in extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Bullous pemphigoid occurs in people above 60 years of age. Bullous pemphigoid is a rare skin disease where fluid-filled blisters develop below the outer layer of skin main where the skin flexes, e.g., lower abdomen, upper thighs, or armpits. The reason for the occurrence of Bullous pemphigoid is unknown. However, bullous pemphigoid takes a long time to heal. In addition, bullous pemphigoid may be aggravated with DPP-4, which can be severe and necessitate hospitalization. If you experience a breakdown of your skin’s outer layer, including blisters and hives, call your doctor immediately.
Inform your doctor if you have the following:
- renal disease and pancreatitis (or if you are on dialysis)
- elevated triglycerides and gallstones (a type of fat in the blood)
- previous alcoholism
Januvia Side Effects
Some common adverse effects of this drug
- stuffy or runny nose
- sore throat
Less common adverse effects are
- Allergic reactions, including hives, rash, and swelling of the tongue, lips, face, and throat, may cause problems with swallowing or breathing
- inflammation of the pancreas
- kidney complications (sometimes requiring dialysis)
- vomiting
- headache
- constipation
- joint pain
- muscle aches
- back pain
- arm or leg pain
- itching
- blisters
Rare Negative Effects
- A long-lasting excruciating stomach that is accompanied by vomiting is among some symptoms.
- Bullous pemphigoid (blisters or a breakdown of your skin)
- Chronic renal failure. Some symptoms include weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, shortness of breath, and little or no urine production.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.
