Herbal Spotlight
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 Taking sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride (Janumet)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed a combination of two medications, sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride, to help manage your type 2 diabetes. This medication is used along with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar. Sitagliptin helps keep your blood insulin level up to lower your blood sugar level. Metformin decreases the absorption of glucose, decreases liver production of glucose, and increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This combination may help to keep your blood sugar level normal. The brand name of this medication is Janumet.
How you'll take Janumet
You'll take one Janumet tablet twice a day with meals. Don't stop taking the medication or change your dosage unless told to do so by your health care provider. Continue with your diet and exercise program.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it with food as soon as you remember. If you don’t remember until it’s time to take your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and take the regularly scheduled dose as usual. Don't double up doses.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: weakness, headache, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, gas, stomach discomfort, sore throat.
Less common: lactic acidosis, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
What you must know about other medications
Using this medication with another medication may affect your blood glucose levels and affect how either medication works. Tell your health care provider what medications you're currently taking. Keep a list of all of your prescription and non-prescription medications (including herbal supplements and vitamins), and share them with each of your health care providers. Don't start taking a new medication without first discussing it with your health care provider. You can't take this medication if you're scheduled for a medical imaging procedure that uses an injection of dye or contrast agent. Consult your health care provider if you're scheduled for any medical imaging procedures.
Special directions
- You'll need to have certain blood tests, including liver and kidney function tests and blood glucose level tests before and periodically during therapy.
- Your medication dose may need to be changed during times of stress (such as surgery, severe illness, fever, infection, or trauma) or if you become dehydrated. Consult your health care provider if any of these occur.
- You need to adhere to your prescribed diet and exercise program for this medication to work properly.
- Alcohol may alter your blood sugar levels; avoid excessive alcohol use while taking this medication.
- Review the signs of hypoglycemia with your health care provider (malaise, restlessness, fatigue, nausea, rapid or irregular heart rate) and what actions to take if hypoglycemia occurs.
- Store this medication at room temperature and out of reach of children.
Keep in mind
- It isn't known if this medication could affect an unborn baby. If you think you're pregnant or would like to become pregnant, consult your health care provider
- It isn't known if this medication could affect a breastfed baby. If you're breastfeeding, consult your health care provider.
- You'll need to have your blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C levels monitored regularly while taking this medication.
- Report severe weakness, unusual muscle pain, difficulty breathing, slow or irregular heart beat, feelings of cold in your arms or legs, lightheadedness, or stomach problems.
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