Januvia (Sitagliptin)

Description

Januvia is a blood sugar medication that is used to treat type two diabetes. It increases the concentration of incretins which is a natural substance in the body. This induces the release of insulin after meals which help in the lowering of blood sugar levels.

This drug is usually administered together with other medications, exercise and a healthy diet. The regulation of diabetes helps prevent kidney damage, blindness and other conditions that result from elevated blood sugar levels.

Usage

This drug should be taken orally, with or without food. It is usually prescribed to be taken once a day. However, the dosage will differ on how your body responds to the medication as well as on kidney function and the severity of your condition.

It is important to take Januvia regularly in order to experience a change. You should perform routine diabetes tests in order to be aware of your blood sugar levels when taking the drug.

Precautions

You should inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergic conditions you may have for the drugs or for its ingredients. Your medical history will also be very important when prescribing this drug as patients with a history of gallstones, pancreatitis and kidney diseases may need to follow a different treatment plan.

You should also inform your surgeon before having any type of surgery of dental procedure.

It is advisable to prevent from driving or using heavy machinery which can result in accidents since the use of Januvia can cause dizziness due to extremely low levels of blood sugar. Stressful exercises and lack of a good diet when using this medication can also cause low blood sugar conditions.

This drug should only be used by pregnant women when absolutely necessary. Your doctor may recommend that you switch to insulin treatment during the course of your pregnancy as precaution. Risks associated with breast feeding while using the drug should be clarified with your doctor since there is no proper information on whether Januvia is passed onto breast milk.

Side effects

You may experience dizziness and drowsiness when you first start using Januvia. However, these symptoms will diminish with time. If they continue to bother you, seek medical help from your doctor.

Serious allergic reactions to the drug are very rare. However, inform your doctor if you notice rashes, swelling, itching or difficulty in breathing.

Hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heartbeat, shaking and sudden sweating are all symptoms of low blood sugar.

Even though Januvia does not directly cause this condition, if the drug is taken with other diabetic medication, these signs maybe visible. The easiest way to treat this condition is by taking glucose tablets or a drink or food product high in sugar.

Change in the amount of urine and joint pains are serious side effects that could be caused by the drug and should be attended to immediately. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain can be symptoms of pancreatitis which could be caused due to the drug. Inform your doctor if you experience any of these conditions.