What is Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

Sitagliptin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.
Sitagliptin is for people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Sitagliptin is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications, but is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Sitagliptin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

Do not use this medication 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 sitagliptin, 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 sitagliptin.
Stop taking sitagliptin 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, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.
Sitagliptin 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Januvia (Sitagliptin)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sitagliptin, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use sitagliptin:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
• a history of pancreatitis

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Your name may need to be listed on a sitagliptin pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
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.
Sitagliptin should not be given to a child younger than 18 years old without a doctor’s advice.

Januvia (Sitagliptin) Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking sitagliptin 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 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 at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Januvia (Sitagliptin) Interactions

What other drugs affect Januvia (Sitagliptin) (Sitagliptin)?

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

What should I avoid while taking Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Januvia (Sitagliptin) Dosage

How should I take Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication 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 this medicine with or without food. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Sitagliptin 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.
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.
Your dose needs may change if you become ill, have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Your doctor may want you to stop taking sitagliptin for a short time if any of these situations affect you.
Store sitagliptin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

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 hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Januvia (Sitagliptin) ?

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.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com