Januvia general information

What is Januvia used for?

Januvia tablets 100mg are used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes.  T2DM is a disease characterised by high blood sugar levels that are difficult to control (poor glycaemic control) due to chronic damage to the beta cells of the pancreas and loss of their normal function, which is the production of insulin in response to increase in blood glucose, such as following a meal.  Insulin resistance is another reason for poor glycaemic control in T2DM.  Januvia tablets 100mg are an oral antihyperglycaemic medication that helps bring down high blood sugar levels, particularly after a meal, keeps blood sugar levels down between meals and reduces the amount of sugar made in the liver.  Januvia tablets 100mg can be used as monotherapy in combination with improved diet and increased exercise or when diet and exercise alone does not provide adequate glycaemic control.  Januvia 100 is also used as add-on therapy in combination with other oral antihyperglycaemic medications like metformin, a thiazolidinedione or a sulphonylurea, when diet and exercise, plus one of these other drugs does not provide adequate glycaemic control; also in combination with two other drugs if dual therapy does not provide adequate glycaemic control.  Januvia 100 helps restore glycaemic control and helps prevent or delay the development of serious complications of T2DM.  These include cardiovascular disease leading to heart attack and stroke.  Also microvascular damage (damage to capillaries) in the eye, kidney or nerves can lead to diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy, which contributes to blindness, kidney disease, foot ulcers.  In extreme cases microvascular damage can result in amputation. 

How does Januvia work?

Januvia tablets 100mg contain sitagliptin, a potent and selective inhibitor of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) that works by preventing the breakdown of two small proteins called incretins.  These incretins are Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) is and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and are involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis (maintaining normal glucose levels).  They are released from the intestine in response to increased glucose levels, particularly following food ingestion and stimulate glucose-dependent insulin production from the pancreatic beta cells to lower blood glucose levels; as well as suppressing glucagon release from the pancreatic alpha cells to reduce glucose production in the liver.  However, the incretins are normally rapidly degraded by DPP-4 into inactive metabolites.  Sitagliptin in Januvia tablets 100mg inhibits this degradation, thereby increasing incretin levels, allowing them to be active for longer so that they can continue to restore blood glucose to normal levels.  This process is glucose-dependent and is only activated when glucose levels are raised and therefore, unlike other anti-diabetic medications, does not lead to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which is a potentially serious side effect.  Januvia 100 helps reduce hyperglycaemia and restores glycaemic control in patients with T2DM.

What does Januvia contain?

Januvia tablets 100mg contain the active ingredient sitagliptin phosphate, a DPP-4 inhibitor used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).  They also contain: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol (macrogol), talc, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide,yellow iron oxide

Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Januvia

Januvia tablets 100mg contain sitagliptin an oral antidiabetic drug used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.  T2DM is a disease characterised by high blood sugar levels that are difficult to control (poor glycaemic control) due to chronic damage to the beta cells of the pancreas and loss of their normal function, which is the production of insulin in response to increase in blood glucose, such as following a meal.  Insulin resistance is another reason for poor glycaemic control in T2DM.  Sitagliptin in Januvia tablets 100mg is an incretin enhancer, because it increases the levels of two small proteins called incretins, which are involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis (maintaining normal glucose levels).  These incretins are Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) is and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and are released from the intestine in response to increased glucose levels, particularly following food ingestion.  Incretins stimulate glucose-dependent insulin production from the pancreatic beta cells to lower blood glucose levels; as well as suppressing glucagon release from the pancreatic alpha cells to reduce glucose production in the liver.  However, the incretins are normally rapidly degraded by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) into inactive metabolites.  Sitagliptin in Januvia 100 is a potent and selective inhibitor of DPP-4 and works by inhibiting DPP-4 breakdown of incretins, thereby increasing their levels and allowing them to be active for longer so that they can continue to restore blood glucose to normal levels.  This process is glucose-dependent and is only activated when glucose levels are raised and therefore, unlike other anti-diabetic medications, does not lead to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which is a potentially serious side effect.  Januvia 100 helps reduce hyperglycaemia and restores glycaemic control in patients with T2DM.  This helps prevent or delay the development of serious complications of T2DM.  These include cardiovascular disease leading to heart attack and stroke.  Also microvascular damage (damage to capillaries) in the eye, kidney or nerves can lead to diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy, which contribute to blindness, kidney disease and foot ulcers.  

What are the side effects of Januvia?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Januvia include gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, flatulence, vomiting) headache, upper respiratory infection, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, cough, fungal skin infection, peripheral oedema (swelling of the hands or leg).  Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can occur when Januvia is used in combination with a sulfonylurea medicine.

When should Januvia not be used?

You should not use Januvia tablets 100mg if you:

• are allergic to sitagliptin or any ingredients in Januvia
• have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
• have symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Januvia, including severe persistent stomach pain, with or without vomiting
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have severe kidney disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Januvia: digoxin for heart failure is slightly affected by sitagliptin

How should Januvia be taken?

You should take your Januvia tablets 100mg once daily, with a glass of water and with or without food.  You may be taking Januvia 100 in combination with other antidiabetic drugs which you should take according to your doctor’s recommendations.  You will be given a diet and exercise programme to follow as well as your medication.  You should continue to take your Januvia tablets 100mg along with your other medication and a healthy diet and exercise programme for as long as recommend by your doctor, which may be for long-term to maintain your blood sugar levels.

How long should you take Januvia?

You should continue to follow take your Januvia tablets 100mg along with your other medication and improved diet and exercise for as long as recommend by your doctor, which may be for long-term to maintain your blood sugar levels.

Missed dose of Januvia

If you miss a dose of Januvia tablets 100mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Januvia be stored?

You should store your Januvia tablets 100mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.