Frequently Asked Questions About JANUMET® XR (sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release) tablets
Frequently Asked Questions About JANUMET XR
JANUMET XR is a prescription medicine that contains 2 prescription diabetes medicines, sitagliptin (JANUVIA®) and metformin. JANUMET XR can be used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
For more information, see Get to know JANUMET XR?
How does JANUMET XR work?
JANUMET XR targets 3 key factors to lower blood sugar:
Helps your pancreas make more insulin
Helps your body more effectively use the insulin that it makes
Helps decrease the amount of sugar that your liver makes
JANUMET XR can cause serious side effects. See Possible Side Effects of JANUMET XR to learn more.
Before you start taking JANUMET XR, tell your doctor if you have ever had heart failure or have problems with your kidneys.
Serious allergic reactions. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking JANUMET XR and call your doctor right away or get emergency medical help. Your doctor may give you a medicine for your allergic reaction and prescribe a different medicine for your diabetes.
Will I gain weight from taking JANUMET XR?
When used by itself, JANUMET XR is not likely to cause weight gain.
Is there a difference in how you take JANUMET & JANUMET XR?
Yes. JANUMET is taken two times each day. See How should I take JANUMET?. JANUMET XR is taken one time each day. See How should I take JANUMET XR?
Does JANUMET XR cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
When used by itself, JANUMET XR is not likely to cause low blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia).
If you take JANUMET XR with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you use JANUMET XR.
Learn more about the Possible Side Effects of JANUMET XR.
Your doctor may tell you to take JANUMET XR along with certain other diabetes medicines. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen more often when JANUMET XR is taken with certain other diabetes medicines. See above section "What are the possible side effects of JANUMET XR?".
are going to get an injection of dye or contrast agent for an x-ray procedure. See "What is the most important information I should know about JANUMET XR?" and "What should I tell my doctor before taking JANUMET XR?”.
What if I see something that looks like the JANUMET XR tablet in my stool (bowel movement)?
You may see something that looks like the JANUMET XR tablet in your stool (bowel movement). If you see tablets in your stool several times, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking JANUMET XR without talking to your doctor
Having trouble paying for your Merck medicine?
Merck may be able to help. Visit merckhelps.com