Antidiabetic Agent; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP-4) Inhibitor
CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship
How Does it Work
Incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulate glucose by increasing the production and release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells while also decreasing glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells. Decreasing glucagon results in less glucose production by the liver. Incretin hormones are normally released by the intestines and production is stimulated by food. Incretins are inactivated by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4). Sitagliptin, Januvia inhibits DPP-4 thereby raising incretin levels and resulting in lower blood glucose.
Indications For Use
Sitagliptin, Januvia is officially indicated for Diabetes mellitus type 2 as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
Precautions
Before starting Sitagliptin, Januvia makes sure your physician is aware of any allergies, medications you currently take, if you have had bariatric surgery if you have kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, a history of pancreatitis, are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Usual Dosing
100mg once daily
Pharmacist Tips On Using
How to Take Sitagliptin, Januvia: Follow instructions provided by physician/pharmacy label, take consistently at the same time each day with or without a meal unless otherwise directed, store at room temperature
You Need to Avoid: Do not use for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Side Effects
This medication is generally very well tolerated, and side effects are rare, however, the most common side effects that may occur are nasopharyngitis (5%) and hypoglycemia (1%).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a condition of low blood sugar (>3.9mmol/L-Canada; 70mg/dL-US) which is considered a medical emergency whereas hyperglycemia is a slowly progressive condition. It generally occurs with irregularities in diet, exercise, and medications in diabetic patients. It is preferably treated with simple sugars such as dextrose; regular table sugar can work but is slower acting as it needs to be digested and if blood sugar is extremely low this delay can be a problem. Hypoglycemia has a large host of progressive symptoms from hunger, headache, nausea, sweating, palpitations, mood swings, irritability to seizure, coma, and in severe cases, death.