Janumet is a medication used to manage type 2 diabetes, a condition in which your body is non-insulin dependent (your body does not respond to the insulin hormone that regulates your blood sugars). According to Drugs.com, Janumet is a combination of metformin and sitaglipin. Metformin lessens the amount of sugar your liver produces, while sitaglipin manages your sugar levels postprandially (after eating). You may initially take a combination of 50 mg of sitaglapin and 500 mg of metformin twice daily or as your doctor prescribes, says the National Library of Medicine.
Routine Side Effects
The typical side effects for Janumet are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and flatulence (gas). It can cause nasal congestion, a runny nose, weakness, stomach pain and a headache, says Drugs.com. In the event you do not eat, take too much Janumet or exercise for a long period of time, you may exhibit symptoms of hypoglycemia: headache, confusion, irritability, fainting and convulsions. Other hypoglycemia symptoms include weakness, sleepiness, diaphoresis (sweating), tachycardia (fast heartbeat), dizziness and even coma. Eat a candy bar or drink a sugar-containing beverage such as apple or orange juice in order to rapidly increase your blood glucose levels.
Serious Side Effects
Janumet can cause lactic acidosis, a condition in which too much lactic acid builds up in your blood. This is a rare condition characterized by nausea and physical weakness. According to the National Library of Medicine, lactic acidosis is also characterized by fatigue, myalgias (muscle pain), trouble breathing, stomach pain and drowsiness. Lactic acidosis is an emergency that requires immediate attention.
Janumet may also lower your vitamin B12 levels, says Drugs.com. Lowered vitamin B12 levels can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition of lowered red blood cells in which you develop fatigue and paleness.
Drugs.com says that Janumet can also increases your risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Symptoms of pancreatitis include poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain that radiates to your back. You can also experience trouble breathing, weight gain, fever, body aches, chills and blistering of your skin.
Other Concerns
Drugs.com says that you should tell your doctor whether you have a medical history of liver, kidney, heart disease, a stroke, infections or a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Taking Janumet while suffering from these conditions can increase your risk of developing lactic acidosis.
Avoid taking Janumet if you are allergic to metformin or sitaglipin. You can develop such serious side effects as increased difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of your lips, face and tongue.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Janumet. The combination alone can trigger Janumet's aforementioned side effects and cause lactic acidosis.
The National Library of Medicine says that there are no adequate studies that Janumet poses a risk to your unborn or nursing child. However, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. He will assess the dangers and benefits of continuing Janumet.
Drugs.com warns that you should tell your doctor if you are taking such medicines as steroids, diuretics, diet pills, aspirin and sulfa drugs. Janumet can combine with these drugs and provoke the aforementioned symptoms.
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