Selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors)

Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors (DPP-4 Inhibitors)

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
saxagliptin	Onglyza
sitagliptin	Januvia
sitagliptin and metformin	Janumet

Janumet is a combination medicine that contains sitagliptin and metformin.

How It Works

Medicines that contain DPP-4 inhibitors lower blood sugar (glucose):

Especially after a meal, when blood sugar is high.
Between meals.

They do this by helping your body make more insulin after a meal. They also reduce how much blood sugar your body makes.

Why It Is Used

These medicines are used to lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. They may be taken alone or along with other medicines to control blood sugar.

How Well It Works

These medicines can lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin control in people who have type 2 diabetes.

Side Effects

The most common side effects that may occur with Januvia include:

An upper respiratory infection.
A stuffy or runny nose and sore throat.
A headache.

The most common side effects that may occur with Janumet include:

Stomach pain.
Diarrhea.
Flatulence.
Nausea.
A metallic taste.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Before taking medicines that contain DPP-4 inhibitors, tell your doctor if you:

Have any allergies.
Have kidney problems.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

People who took this medicine found that they did not gain weight.

Continue to test your blood sugar, especially 2 to 3 hours after a meal and after fasting, to see how the medicine is working.

Talk with your doctor if you have:

A fever.
An injury.
An infection.
A recent surgery.
New symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or belly pain.

If you have any of these, your medicine may need to be changed.

You may need to stop taking Janumet temporarily before major surgery or other medical tests or procedures such as X-rays that use contrast dyes. Talk to your doctor beforehand.

These medicines:

Have not been studied in children younger than 18 years of age.
Have not been studied with medicines known to cause low blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas or insulin.
May be prescribed if other medicines have not worked well for you or if for some reason you cannot take other medicines.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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