Janumet is the branded name of a medication designed to lower the blood glucose or blood sugar levels in the bodies of people with type 2 diabetes. The medication contains two active ingredients, metformin and sitagliptin. These two substances are used in combination with exercise and diet to reduce the blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, then your body will not be able to produce the hormone "insulin" on its own. This means that you can't control the amount of glucose in your blood. Taking Janumet can reduce your risk of developing more serious symptoms caused by type 2 diabetes, including stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, blood circulation issues, and eye conditions.
Janumet
Janumet is a diabetes medication that contains two active ingredients: metformin and sitagliptin. The two substances work together to counteract the symptoms and conditions caused by type 2 diabetes. Janumet is often prescribed in combination with lifestyle and diet changes.
What is Janumet?
Janumet is the branded name of a medication designed to lower the blood glucose or blood sugar levels in the bodies of people with type 2 diabetes. The medication contains two active ingredients, metformin and sitagliptin. These two substances are used in combination with exercise and diet to reduce the blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, then your body will not be able to produce the hormone "insulin" on its own. This means that you can't control the amount of glucose in your blood. Taking Janumet can reduce your risk of developing more serious symptoms caused by type 2 diabetes, including stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, blood circulation issues, and eye conditions.
When is Janumet used?
Janumet is used when other forms of diabetes medication may not be appropriate. The FDA approved this substance in 2007. The first active ingredient of Janumet, Metformin, is an oral medication which works to reduce the amount of glucose in your blood by increasing the sensitivity of your liver and other bodily tissues. This helps to make you more susceptible to insulin.
Sitagliptin is the other active drug in Janumet, which also helps to reduce blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes, although it works in a slightly different way. After a meal, your incretin hormones are released from your intestines, where their levels increase in the blood stream. These substances reduce blood glucose by improving the release of insulin in the pancreas. They also help to reduce the secretion of glucagon - a hormone that can increase the production of glucose in the liver. Sitagliptin works to support the release of these crucial substances, and inhibits another enzyme called DPP-4 that destroys them in your body, causing blood sugar levels to spike.
How do you use Janumet?
When your doctor prescribes Janumet tablets they will also give you instructions on how to use them. Make sure that you follow these instructions carefully and read through the medication leaflet before you start taking this drug. The Janumet pill should be taken by mouth as directed by your healthcare professional. Usually, you'll be asked to take the tablet twice per day with food. When taking Janumet, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and keep your body hydrated. It's also a good idea to avoid splitting or breaking the tablet before you take it. The dosage that you are given will be based on your condition, so make sure that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. To reduce your risk of side effects, you may be asked to start taking Janumet at a low dose before gradually increasing to a higher amount.
To get the most out of this medication, you will need to take it regularly. Remember to use your tablet at the same time each day - even if that means setting an alarm to remind yourself. If you are already taking another diabetes medication, you will need to take your doctor's advice on how to use the two medications together. Make sure that you monitor your blood sugar carefully when using Janumet.
What dosages are available?
Unless your doctor prescribes something different based on your background and medical history, the typical dose of Janumet for an adult over the age of 18 is one tablet taken twice per day with meals. You should not take Janumet under the age of 18 unless your doctor tells you to do so.
This medication is available in a range of different strengths, and your doctor will decide on the dosage that is best for you after a comprehensive medical assessment. If you miss a dose of Janumet for any reason, you can take it immediately. However, if it is close to the next time you are scheduled to take the drug, simply skip the missed tablet and continue as normal. Do not double your dose of Janumet to make up for a missed pill.
What are the side effects of Janumet?
Most people will be able to take Janumet without any significant negative repercussions. However, all medications can some with some side effects, so it's important to be aware of this before you begin taking any new drug.
The most common side effects of Janumet include gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, stomach problems, vomiting, nausea, and other general discomfort in the stomach. You may also experience a metallic taste in your mouth, weakness, and headaches. If any of these issues occur, you may find that they disappear on their own as your body gets used to the new medication. If the issues persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.
Usually, Janumet will not cause low blood sugar, however you may notice some symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating, shaking, excessive hunger and blurred vision if you are taking this medication with another treatment for diabetes. If you do not carry any glucose tablets or gels to treat low blood sugar, you can contact your doctor for advice. Low blood sugar is more likely to occur when taking Janumet if you drink large amounts of alcohol or do a lot of exercise. Janumet is also intended to counteract symptoms of high blood sugar, but you may get some side effects that indicate high blood sugar anyway, such as rapid breathing, flushing, increased urination, and confusion. If this happens, tell your doctor straight away, as your diabetes medication might not be working for you.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you have any serious side effects after taking Janumet, such as signs of kidney problems that appear in the form of changes to your urine. Contact a professional if you notice unusual skin blisters, joint pain, signs of heart failure, or swelling in your feet and ankles. You will also need to seek medical attention if you experience persistent vomiting or nausea, loss of appetite, or problems with severe stomach or back pain, as this could be a sign of pancreatitis. Serious allergic reactions to Janumet are rare. However, seek medical attention immediately if you notice a rash, swelling or itching in any part of your body, severe feelings of dizziness, or trouble with breathing normally.
When shouldn't you use Janumet?
Although Janumet is an effective treatment for diabetes for many patients, it will not be the right solution for everyone. Before you begin using this medication, speak to your doctor about your medical history, and make sure that they're aware of any allergies you have. People with a history of breathing problems caused by issues like severe asthma and obstructive lung disease might not be suited to Janumet and could experience a higher risk of side effects. It's also not a good idea to take this medication if you have blood problems like severe anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, or any inherited blood disease. Other people who should not use this medication include people with:
- A history of liver or kidney disease
- Disease of the pancreas
- Stones in the gallbladder
- An issue with alcoholism or heavy drinking
- A past history of heart attacks or strokes
- Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Janumet
If you're currently unwell and are using Janumet, tell your doctor if you are vomiting or having diarrhea regularly, as this can increase your chances of becoming dehydrated when using Janumet. It is not safe to use Janumet if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. You may need to take an alternative glucose-lowering drug in this situation. Alcohol when combined with this medication can increase your chances of serious side effects caused by dehydration and may also lead to issues like lactic acid poisoning.
Does Janumet interact with any other medications?
Before taking any new medication, it is important to tell your doctor about all substances that you are already taking, including any over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs. Herbal remedies and supplements can also interact negatively with other medications so make sure that you use these with caution, and do not begin taking any new drugs when you're using Janumet without your doctor's approval.
Beta-blockers like propranolol, metoprolol and others can also prevent the fast heart-beating issues that occur when your blood sugar falls to low, which could make it difficult to notice that you're having a problem with your medication. You may also find that other drugs affect your blood sugar when you're taking Janumet, making it difficult to control carefully. There are potential interactions with NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, ranolazine, dogoxin and other diabetic medications. Your doctor will ask you to monitor your blood sugar regularly when taking Janumet, to make sure that you are getting the right results from your drugs.
Where can you buy Janumet?
Janumet is available to buy from most registered pharmacies both online and offline, however it is not available over the counter. You will be able to arrange for us to have this medication delivered to a local EU pharmacy for you if you already have a prescription from a medical professional.
Can you get Janumet without a prescription?
You will need a consultation with a registered healthcare professional before you can buy Janumet online or offline. A prescription is needed for this medication as your doctor will need to make sure that it is safe for you to use.
References
Cerner Multum. Inc, 1996-2019, Online, Drug Metformin and Sitagliptin, [Accessed on the 15th of August 2019], Available at: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-metformin_and_sitagliptin/article_em.htm
Everyday Health, online, 2019, Janumet, [Accessed on the 15th of August 2019], Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/janumet
Omudhome Ogbru, Pharma D, Jay W. Marks, MD Online, What is metformin and sitagliptin, [Accessed on the 15th of August 2019], Available at: https://www.medicinenet.com/metformin_and_sitagliptin/article.htm