Table of Contents
I. The Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes
II. What Does Januvia do in the Body?
The Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes
Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription medication used to relieve symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common in the United States, causing millions of health complications every year. Type 2 is much more common than type 1 diabetes because type 2 is often related to lifestyle and diet choices, whereas type 1 is often related to an immune system issue.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is no longer able to regulate the use of sugar within the body properly. If the body cannot properly interact with insulin to provide the body fuel, the pancreas will produce less insulin. This causes cells to respond more poorly to insulin and take in less sugar. [1] If a person continues to have wildly fluctuating sugar levels, type 2 diabetes will occur and require insulin therapy or other prescription medications like Tradjenta or Januvia.
A healthy treatment plan is necessary to prevent type 2 complications like limb amputation, blindness, and heart failure. Learn more about the benefits of Januvia medication below.
Januvia is an effective medication for type 2 diabetes medication, but how does it work? Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. DPP-4 inhibitors are a relatively new class of diabetes drugs and are typically prescribed if a patient does not respond well to more traditional medications like metformin. These drugs work by blocking the action of the DPP-4 enzyme, which is responsible for destroying gastrointestinal hormones called incretins. Incretins work by stimulating insulin production and reducing glucagon (a hormone) made by the liver if glucose is not needed. These drugs also slow down digestion and decrease a person’s appetite. Januvia functions by preventing the damage of these incretins and regulating blood glucose levels. [2] Januvia may be a fairly new prescription medication, but studies show that it positively affects type 2 diabetes patients. Doctors measure your blood sugar through an A1C level test. An A1C level can be taken through a simple blood test that measures your blood sugar level over the past three months. This test measures the percentage of blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin. The higher the percentage, the more uncontrolled your glucose sugar levels. Once you begin taking Januvia, your doctor will have you take A1C tests frequently to see if the medication is working properly. In one study over 18 weeks, Januvia was tested in 193 people with type 2 diabetes. By the end of the study, those who took Januvia generic had a 0.5% lower A1C score than those who took the placebo. [3] Januvia cannot cure diabetes. It does not fix every single issue associated with type 2 diabetes but can help regulate blood sugar levels. Your doctor will recommend a healthy diet and exercise plan along with your Januvia prescription to boost the drug’s effectiveness. If you continue to eat a high-sugar diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle, Januvia will likely not work as well. It is important to take this drug at the same time every day to get the most benefit from it. You should check your blood sugar regularly to ensure that the drug is working as intended. If your blood measurements are too high or too low, you may want to record this information and tell your doctor. [3] There is no generic version of sitagliptin, but you can reduce your Januvia cost find through an online pharmacy like MyDrugCenter. Maintenance medications for type 2 diabetes can be expensive, but you can find cheap prescriptions through an online Canadian pharmacy today. DISCLAIMER: The information in the article is not meant to be used for treatment or diagnosis. It is designed for general awareness and for information purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for your specific healthcare needs.
What Does Januvia do in the Body?
Is Januvia Effective?
How to Take Januvia
Is there a Cheaper Alternative to Januvia?