Januvia Side Effects

Januvia Side Effects - Serious

There has been known to be a cancer risk with Januvia and other DPP-4 inhibitor medications for pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.

• pancreatitis: pain which begins in the upper left or middle part of the stomach but proceeds to the back, decrease in appetite, nausea or vomiting, and rapid heart rate
• inflammation of the body or increase in weight
• trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• fever and soreness of the throat accompanied by facial swelling and eye pain
• decrease in urination; inability to urinate
• skin reactions which may result in a purple-colored rash, peeling or blistered skin
• serious allergic reaction: hives, skin rash, swelling of the tongue, throat, face, lips or mouth and trouble breathing

Januvia Side Effects - Common

• bowel symptoms: diarrhea or loose stools, or constipation
• runny nose or congestion
• headache
• soreness of the throat
• pain or aching in joints and/or muscles
• upset stomach and stomach pain

Warnings & Recalls for Januvia

Januvia and Pancreatitis

Patients are urged to have follow-up appointments with doctors about acute pancreatitis, including fatal and nonfatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis.  If pancreatitis is suspected, patients should terminate use of Januvia.  See "Side Effects" tab for more details on pancreatitis symptoms.

Januvia and Pregnancy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has labeled Januvia as a pregnancy Category B medication. Januvia is not likely to cause harm to the fetus if taken by a woman who is pregnant. It has not been determined if Januvia may pass through breast-milk and harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Januvia as a treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

General Warnings

Januvia is contraindicated in patients who have a history of an allergic reaction to Sitagliptin, such as angioedema (a swelling response beneath the skin) or anaphylaxis (a serious or fatal allergic reaction). Patients are also urged to notify their doctors about the following:

• alcohol use and history
• any treatments or management for type 2 diabetes you have been taking
• if you have had diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallstones, their triglyceride management
• if you have a history of kidney disease.

A patient who will have been receiving dental surgery is urged to tell their dentist if they have been taking Januvia.

Januvia Interactions

A patient is encouraged to tell their doctor or pharmacist about what other prescriptions, medications and supplements they take before beginning a regimen with Januvia. Be sure to mention use of the following to avoid interactions:

• digoxin, a treatment for heart failure
• insulin products
• probenecid
• any NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• acetohexamide for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, or chlorpropamide, tolazamide, or tolbutamide for treating diabetes mellitus
• type 2 diabetes medications such as glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide
• any blood thinners (i.e. Warfarin)
• MAO inhibitors (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
• beta-blocker class medicines

Januvia Treatment and Use

What is Januvia?

Januvia | Sitagliptin belongs to a classification of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and is prescribed to lower blood sugar levels in patients who have type 2 diabetes. Januvia is marketed in the US by Merck and Co, Inc. and is commonly prescribed concurrently with other medications and to be followed with a regimen of diet and exercise.

Januvia should not be administered to anyone under 18 years of age without consent from a healthcare professional.

How Does Januvia Work?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which a patient’s blood sugar level is too high because the body does not produce insulin properly. Januvia raises levels of hormones known as incretin in the body. As a response, the body releases more insulin while simultaneously lowering blood sugar.

Januvia Dosage Information

Januvia is available in tablet form to be taken by mouth once each day. Doctors generally prescribe Januvia to be taken as one 100 mg dose every 24 hours. Tablets may be taken with or without food, and may be crushed if the patient has trouble swallowing the tablet. Januvia should be scheduled to be taken around the same time every day to ensure that there is a steady amount of medication in the body. Take Januvia only as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Other Names for Januvia

Brand name:

• Januvia

Generic name:

• Sitagliptin

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Januvia

Januvia Lawsuit Updates