Januvia

Januvia

Generic Name: sitagliptin (SI ta glip tin)

Brand Names: Januvia

What is Januvia?

Januvia is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.

Januvia is for people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. It is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications, but is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Januvia may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Januvia

Do not use Januvia if you are allergic to sitagliptin or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Before taking Januvia, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, if you are on dialysis, or if you have a history of pancreatitis.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are taking Januvia.

Stop taking Januvia and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, or fast heart rate.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Januvia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of Januvia completely.

Before taking Januvia

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Januvia, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

To make sure you can safely take Januvia, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

a history of pancreatitis.

FDA pregnancy category B. Januvia is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether sitagliptin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Januvia should not be given to a child younger than 18 years old without a doctor's advice.

See also: Januvia pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Januvia?

Take Januvia exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take Januvia in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

You may take Januvia with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating.

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change.

Ask your doctor how to adjust your Januvia dose if needed. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

Januvia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store Januvia at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Januvia dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Januvia?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are taking Januvia.

Januvia side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Januvia: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Januvia and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

pancreatitis; - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate; or

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious Januvia side effects may include:

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;

headache; or

nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Januvia side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Januvia?

Before you take Januvia, tell your doctor if you are also taking digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin).

Although Januvia is not as likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as some other oral diabetes medications, tell your doctor if you are taking any other drugs that can potentially lower blood sugar, such as:

probenecid (Benemid);

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);

aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);

sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);

a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);or

beta-blockers (Tenormin and others).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Januvia. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Januvia resources

Januvia Side Effects (in More Detail)

Januvia Dosage

Januvia Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Januvia Drug Interactions

Januvia Support Group

19 Reviews for Januvia - Add your own review/rating

Januvia Prescribing Information (FDA)

Januvia Monograph (AHFS DI)

Januvia Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Januvia MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Januvia with other medications

Diabetes, Type 2

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Januvia.

What does my medication look like?

Sitagliptin is available with a prescription under the brand name Januvia. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Januvia 25 mg - pink, round, film-coated tablets

Januvia 50 mg - light beige, round, film-coated tablets

Januvia 100 mg - beige, round, film-coated tablets