Prescription drugs Janumet and Janumet XR: A look at their adverse effects, suggested dosages, costs, and additional details
Janumet and Janumet XR are brand-name prescription drugs, approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. These oral medications, developed by Merck & Company, Inc., combine metformin (a biguanide) and sitagliptin (a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) to effectively manage blood sugar levels.
Janumet, an immediate-release (IR) medication, is taken multiple times a day, while Janumet XR, an extended-release (ER) medication, offers the convenience of once-daily dosing. Both medications work synergistically to improve glucose control by reducing liver glucose production, enhancing peripheral glucose uptake, increasing insulin release, and lowering glucagon levels.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar and kidney function is essential during Janumet or Janumet XR therapy, especially since these drugs are not recommended in severe kidney disease or certain other serious conditions. It's crucial to inform your doctor about any heart failure or kidney problems before starting treatment with these medications.
The dosage of Janumet or Janumet XR prescribed by your doctor will depend on several factors, including your age, other medical conditions, and other diabetes medications you may be taking. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the amount that's right for you.
Common side effects of Janumet and Janumet XR include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. These medications have a lower risk of causing weight gain or hypoglycemia compared to some other diabetes medications. However, certain drugs can raise your risk of hypoglycemia, such as sulfonylureas and insulins, while others can raise your risk of hyperglycemia, such as diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and corticosteroids.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of certain side effects from Janumet or Janumet XR, including lactic acidosis and pancreatitis. Lactic acidosis is a serious side effect that can be fatal and is more likely to occur in people with kidney and liver problems, older adults, and those who drink large amounts of alcohol. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, abdominal pain, weakness, trouble breathing, and dizziness.
It's essential to talk with your doctor if you're interested in finding an alternative to Janumet or Janumet XR, as other drugs are available that can treat type 2 diabetes, such as sulfonylureas, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, thiazolidinediones, biguanides, combination drugs, and more.
If you have kidney problems, your doctor typically will not prescribe Janumet or Janumet XR due to the risk of kidney issues as a side effect. It's also unknown if these medications are safe to take while breastfeeding.
Janumet comes in two strengths: 50 mg sitagliptin/500 mg metformin and 50 mg sitagliptin/1,000 mg metformin. Janumet XR is available in three strengths: 50 mg sitagliptin/500 mg metformin, 50 mg sitagliptin/1,000 mg metformin, and 100 mg sitagliptin/1,000 mg metformin.
The cost of Janumet and Janumet XR can vary based on the strength you're taking, your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. Merck & Company, Inc., the manufacturer of Janumet and Janumet XR, offers a coupon to help lower the cost of these drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of Janumet or Janumet XR, which could help lower the cost and reduce the number of trips to the pharmacy.
Certain drugs can increase your risk of side effects from Janumet or Janumet XR, such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors, certain antianginal agents, certain integrase inhibitors, and certain H2 blockers. It's also important to note that Janumet and Janumet XR aren't approved for use in children and aren't currently available in generic form.
If you experience an allergic reaction to Janumet or Janumet XR, call your doctor right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itchiness, flushing, swelling under the skin, swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat, and trouble breathing.
In clinical trials, Janumet and Janumet XR have been found effective for managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, these medications can cause mild or serious side effects, including digestive problems, upper respiratory infections, headache, low vitamin B12 level, bullous pemphigoid, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, severe joint pain, lactic acidosis, allergic reaction, heart problems, kidney issues, and more.
If you need financial support to pay for Janumet or Janumet XR, help is available. Always consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for personalised advice on managing your diabetes and using these medications safely and effectively.
Decisive in choosing an alternative to Janumet or Janumet XR for health-and-wellness purposes might require consulting different science-backed diabetes drugs, such as sulfonylureas, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, thiazolidinediones, biguanides, or combination drugs.
Informing the prescribing doctor about any serious conditions like kidney problems and heart failure before starting treatment with Janumet or Janumet XR is essential to mitigate potential health risks and side effects since these drugs are typically not recommended in such cases.
