Sitagliptin (Oral Route)

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Sitagliptin (Oral Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Names

  • Januvia

Description

Sitagliptin is used alone or with other medicines, (e.g., metformin or pioglitazone), to treat high blood sugar levels that are caused by a type of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) called type 2 diabetes. Normally, after you eat, your pancreas releases insulin to help your body store excess sugar for later use. This process occurs during normal digestion of food. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not work properly to store the excess sugar and the sugar remains in your bloodstream. Chronic high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems in the future.

Proper diet is the first step in managing type 2 diabetes, but often medicines are needed to help your body. Sitagliptin helps to control blood sugar levels by increasing substances in the body that make the pancreas release more insulin. It also signals the liver to stop producing glucose when there is too much sugar in the blood.

Sitagliptin does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes, because they do not produce insulin from the pancreas. The blood glucose is best controlled with insulin injections in these patients.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet
Before Using

DR602203

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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