Janumet (Sitagliptin/Metformin)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

What is Janumet?

Janumet is a combination of two antidiabetic medications metformin and sitagliptin. It is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sitagliptin works by adjusting the level of insulin that your body produces after eating. While the drug metformin acts by decreasing the glucose production in the liver and by reducing the absorption of glucose by the intestines.

The medication is not recommended to patients younger than 18 years old and to treat type 1 diabetes.

Uses and Benefits of Janumet

In adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Janumet is used with a proper diet and a suggested exercise routine to improve blood sugar levels. In this way, the medication also helps to prevent serious complications caused by diabetes such as eye problems, blindness, nerve damage, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke.

Side Effects of Janumet

People taking Janumet may experience some common side effects, including:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Upset stomach

• Muscle pain or cramping

• Headache

• Stuffy or runny nose and sore throat

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Talk to your doctor immediately, if you notice severe side effects after taking Janumet including difficulty in breathing, swelling around your face or throat, burning in your eyes, hives, skin rashes, blistering or peeling of the skin, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood) and severe stomach pain.

Taking Janumet for long periods of time can reduce the level of Vitamin B12 in the blood leading to anemia and nerve problems. In this case, your doctor may test your Vitamin B12 levels and suggest taking Vitamin B12 tablets.

How to use Janumet?

Janumet is an oral medication available in different strengths:

• Sitagliptin 50 mg/Metformin 500 mg

• 50 mg/850 mg

• 50 mg/1000 mg

Doctors prescribe Janumet tablets alone or together with other diabetes medications based on the medical condition of the patients. Janumet is taken with meals as suggested by the doctor. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Janumet tablets may not completely dissolve in the body and small parts of the tablet may appear in your stool. But talk to your doctor if you see a tablet in your stool several times.

It is always advised to take the medication regularly at the same time to get maximum benefits. Always follow the proper diet and exercise routine suggested by your doctor.

Drug Interactions

Some drugs can interact with metformin and sitagliptin and affect how well Janumet controls your blood sugar or can cause serious side effects. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following medications:

• Antipsychotic medications - chlorpromazine,

• prochlorperazine, and thioridazine

• Antacid medications

• Corticosteroid medications

• Diuretics such as thiazides

• Calcium channel blocking drugs

• Oral contraceptives

Taking Janumet with other antidiabetic medicine such as sulfonylurea and insulin can cause low blood sugar called hypoglycemia. Tell your doctor if you are taking other antidiabetic medication so that the doctor may adjust the dose of sulfonylurea or insulin.

Safety Information

• Do not take Janumet if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant without consulting with your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor before taking Janumet if you have had any medical conditions including severe joint or muscle pain, kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, liver disease, pancreatitis, and heart failure.
• Do not take Janumet if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Reference:

• https://www.medlife.com/blog/janumet-uses-benefits-side-effects/

• https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/metformin-sitagliptin,janumet.html

• https://www.1mg.com/drugs/janumet-50-mg-500-mg-tablet-173029

• https://www.janumetxr.com/