Brand Name

Janumet {Merck}

Generic Name

metformin and sitagliptin, pronounced met FOR min and SI ta glip tin)

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Janumet?

Janumet is an oral diabetes medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Janumet can help to control your blood sugar levels by regulating the amount of insulin your body produces after eating. Janumet should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes.

Janumet may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts about Janumet

Janumet is a combination of metformin and sitagliptin. Metformin works by decreasing your glucose (sugar) production in your liver, and by decreasing the absorption of glucose by your intestines. Sitagliptin works by regulating the levels of insulin that your body produces after eating.

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms like muscle pain or weakness, a numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, a slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or a feeling of being very weak and tired. These symptoms could be a sign of a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. You are more likely to develop this condition if you have liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a severe infection, if you are dehydrated, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Janumet, as it can lower your blood sugar.

Janumet is in FDA pregnancy category B. You should not use Janumet if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. We do not yet know the effects Janumet has on an unborn baby. Because we do not know if Janumet passes into breast milk you should not breast-feed while taking Janumet.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Janumet, as it can increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

Before You Take Janumet

If you are allergic to sitagliptin or metformin you should not take Janumet.

If you have a history of pancreatitis you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Janumet.

If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you are dehydrated you may not be a candidate to take Janumet.

Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis or have kidney disease before starting treatment with Janumet.

If you are over 80 years of age and have not recently had your kidney function tested you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Janumet.

Janumet Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• acetazolamide (Diamox)
• aspirin or other salicylates, including Pepto-Bismol
• asthma, cold or allergy medications
• beta-blockers such as Tenormin
• birth control pills
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• diuretics (water pills)
• glimepiride (Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact)
• glipizide (Glucotrol, Metaglip)
• glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance)
• heart or blood pressure medications like amiloride (Midamor), digoxin (Lanoxin), furosemide (Lasix), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl, Procanbid), quinidine (Quin-G) and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• isoniazid
• niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin)
• phenothiazines (Compazine and others)
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• seizure medications
• topiramate (Topamax)
• trimethoprim (Proloprim, Primsol, Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra)
• vancomycin (Vancocin, Lyphocin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Janumet. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Janumet

You should take Janumet exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do not take Janumet in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter periods than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Janumet should be taken at the same time every day.

Janumet should be taken with meals.

While you are taking Janumet you will need to have your blood sugar checked regularly. Plan to see your doctor often to be sure that Janumet is working for you.

You will need to check your blood sugar often, particularly during a time of illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, skip meals or are under great stress. These factors can affect your glucose levels. Tell your doctor if your levels are not where they should be and you may need a dose adjustment of Janumet. Your doctor will decide if you need a dosage change, and how much of a change you may need. Do not attempt to change your dose of Janumet without consulting your doctor first.

Be aware that Janumet is just a part of a complete program of treatment to help your blood sugar condition. Your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan for you which includes diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, and dental care, as well as regular testing of your blood sugar. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

You should always keep a source of sugar available in case you experience symptoms of low blood sugar. Sources of sugar include hard candy, orange juice, glucose gel, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, you can use an injection of Glucagon. Ask your doctor if you need a prescription for a Glucagon emergency injection kit. If you do need this kit your doctor can show you how to administer this injection yourself.

Janumet should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Janumet you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Be sure to take it with a meal. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Janumet Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Janumet and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reactions including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate
• severe skin reaction, including a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain that is followed by a red or purple skin rash which spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
• shortness of breath
• urinating less than normal or not at all

Less serious Janumet side effects may include:

• back pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• headache
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• nausea (mild)
• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• stomach pain

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Janumet. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Janumet Description and Dosing

Janumet is available in oral tablet dosages of:

50 mg/500 mg, which are light pink, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “575” debossed on one side.

50 mg/1000 mg, which are red, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “577” debossed on one side.

Janumet is typically dosed on an individual basis. Your doctor will decide what dose of Janumet is right for you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Janumet you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Janumet

The main ingredients in Janumet are sitagliptin and metformin HCl. Inactive ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium stearyl fumarate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, and black iron oxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.