Janumet Tablets – Product Information
Janumet is a combination of Sitagliptin and Metformin which reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes). This medicine is used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both sitagliptin and metformin is appropriate. It is available in two different strengths which are Sitagliptin 50 mg / Metformin 1000 mg and Sitagliptin 50 mg / Metformin 500 mg .
We also stock Glycomet (Metformin Tablets) and Exermet XR ((Metformin SR) which are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, when diet and exercise alone does not result in adequate control of blood glucose levels
Name of Drug
Janumet tablets. This medicine is also known as Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets.
Manufacturer
Merck Sharp and Dohme
Website:merck.com
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
The active pharmaceutical ingredients contained in Janumet tablets are Sitagliptin Phosphate and Metformin Hydrochloride.
Uses of Janumet Tablets
Janumet (Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets) is an oral anti diabetic medication for type 2 diabetes, that helps to control blood sugar levels. It also helps regulate post prandial (after meals) insulin levels in the body. Janumet increases the secretion of naturally produced Incretin hormones in the body.
Metformin helps to restore body’s proper response to the insulin naturally produced in the body. It also decreases the amount of sugar that your liver makes and, that your stomach/intestines absorb.
Janumet Tablets – Dosage
Janumet (Sitagliptin Phosphate and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets) is indicated in conjunction with diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, when treatment with both Sitagliptin and Metformin is appropriate.
The dosage of Janumet tablets varies on the basis of the patient’s current routine, effectiveness, and tolerability. The maximum recommended dosage for Janumet tablets in a day is 100 mg of Sitagliptin and 2000 mg of Metformin hydrochloride. The initial combination therapy, or maintenance of combination therapy should be individualized and needs to be determined by the physician. It is usually prescribed with following adult dosages options.
1. Sitagliptin (50 mg) + Metformin (500mg)
2. Sitagliptin (50 mg) + Metformin (1000 mg)
Janumet tablets should generally be given twice daily with meals, with gradual dose escalation, to reduce the gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.
Janumet dosage needs to be determined in patients already taking sitagliptin or metformin individually as separate drugs. Since Janumet is a combination of both Sitagliptin and Metformin a proper dose adjustment is required to be strictly considered to the patient by the physician.
Mechanism of Action
Janumet contains Sitagliptin and Metformin HCl. Sitagliptin which is present in Janumet reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, by acting to preserve incretin hormones released naturally in the body. After a meal, Incretin hormones (GIP 1 and GIP 2) are released by the intestine, and their levels increase in the blood.
Incretin hormones reduce blood glucose by increasing the production, and release of insulin from the pancreas. Incretin hormones also reduce blood glucose by reducing the secretion of Glucagon (hormone that increases the production of glucose by the liver and raises the blood glucose levels) from pancreas. The net effect of increased release of Incretin hormones is to reduce blood glucose levels.
Sitagliptin also inhibits the enzyme DPP-4, that destroys Incretin hormones, and thereby increasing the level and activity of Incretin hormones. As a result, blood glucose levels fall. To summarize, Sitagliptin reduces blood glucose levels by inhibiting DPP-4 and increases the levels of Incretin hormones.
The Metformin part of the medication reduces hepatic glucose production, decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose, and improving insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.
What to do in case you miss a dose of Janumet Tablets(Sitagliptin and Metformin Tablets)
If you miss a dose of Janumet tablets, take it as soon as you can. But if the time of the next scheduled dose is near, wait until the time of next scheduled dose, and just skip the one you’ve already missed.
Caution: You should NEVER take double doses or extra tablets of Janumet. Consult your physician further about missed doses and for any other special instructions.
Storage Instructions for Janumet Tablets (Sitagliptin and Metformin Tablets)
Janumet tablets should be stored at temperature below 30°C (86°F). Keep away from children and pets.
Warnings and Precautions to be taken when using Janumet Tablets (Sitagliptin and Metformin Tablets)
Before using Janumet Tablets (Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets) please inform your doctor about all the medicines that you take including no prescription medications, over the counter medicines and herbal remedies. Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious metabolic complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment with Janumet. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that has to be treated in a hospital.
The risk of lactic acidosis increases with age and degree of renal dysfunction. Renal function monitoring is advised. Janumet should be stopped immediately in the presence of any condition associated with hypoxemia, dehydration, or sepsis. Excessive alcohol intake should be avoided, when taking Janumet. Since alcohol potentiates the effects of metformin hydrochloride on lactate metabolism.
A few patients may show allergic reaction to Janumet, thus it is important to get an allergic test done to check, if the patient is susceptible to any kind of allergic reaction to Janumet.
If symptoms of allergic reactions (including rash, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing) occur, patients should stop taking Janumet tablets and seek medical advice immediately.
Janumet should be temporarily discontinued prior to any intravascular radio contrast study and before any surgical procedure.
A few instances of fatal and non-fatal pancreatitis have been reported following use of Janumet.
Janumet intake with other anti-diabetic medications or excessive use may lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Thus it is advised to get a regular blood sugar level check while taking the drug.
In pregnancy Janumet should be taken only, if clearly needed (consult a physician before use). Nursing mothers should take Janumet only after a physician’s consultation.
Keep away from children.
Side Effects of Janumet Tablets
Janumet tablets are usually well tolerated. But in a few cases it is recommended to get medical help, if any of the following possible side effects of Janumet tablets (Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets) occur after Janumet tablet intake.
- Diarrhoea
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal adverse reactions
- Hypoglycaemia on concomitant use with other anti-diabetic drugs
- Allergic reactions
Janumet Tablets – Drug Interactions
Cationic drugs (e.g. Amiloride, Digoxin, Morphine, Procainamide, Quinidine, Quinine, Ranitidine, Triamterene, Trimethoprim, or Vancomycin) that are eliminated by renal tubular secretion (kidney) have the potential for interaction with Janumet (Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets) by competing for common renal tubular transport systems.
Thus careful patient monitoring and dose adjustment of Janumet is recommended in patients who are taking cationic medications.
Furosemide on being administered with Janumet leads to a considerable increase in the plasma concentration of Janumet. Dose adjustment is thus recommended.
Nifedipine on being administered with Janumet leads to increased absorption of Janumet. Dose adjustment is thus recommended.
Buy Janumet Tablets (Sitagliptin and Metformin tablets) Online
You can buy Janumet tablets online at a cheap rate from the Swiss Pharmacy. It is available in pills of Metformin 1000 / Sitagliptin 50 mg mg and Metformin 500 mg / Sitagliptin 50 mg . Janumet (Metformin 500mg & Sitagliptin 50mg) pills are priced at only $1.03 per unit if you place an order for 300 tablets.
