Januvia

[Arthurk]

Been a member for a while but this is my first post. I have been diagnosed as T2 for ten years. On metformin 2x500mg (twice a day) and gliclazide 80mg (twice a day). Had a blip a couple of years ago when my H1 went up to 7.1. Think I got a bit complacent!! Last time down to 6.6 and most recently down again to 6.1. Hoped to get back into the 5% club again but just missed it. Will do it next time tho.
Anyway, the practise nurse - even before seeing my results had decided to put me on Januvia instead of the gliclazide.
So - first question. Has she put me on this med because I'm doing well and so she's reducing my overall meds or (despite what the H1 is saying) that my BS is not good and I need to increase my meds. Is there some other reason I don't know about as she was quite open about having decided to change my meds without ref to my H1.
Second question - have looked up Januvia on the web and quite frankly it frightens me. Side effects range from retinal bleeding to pancreatitis to an increased risk of lung and prostate cancer!!
It is the pancreatitis that worries me the most as I have a long history of the problem. I had a gall-stone stuck in the pancreatic tract and I ended up with a 5 inch cyst. Even after that was sorted I still had pancreatitis on many occasions as I had gall-stones. Had my gall-bladder out 2 years ago but even since then have had trouble. I have lost 55 kg but cannot lose the last few that I need to.(Am now very thin everywhere - except my tummy). Persuaded my GP to give me Orlistat. She was very reluctant because of my history of pancreatitis and ultimately she was right. Didn't lose weight but had another bad bout of the pancreatitis. This was only last year - so why is she now giving me Januvia.
I think I would much prefer to stay on the gliclazide!! Has anyone any thoughts on the matter? Thanks

 

[Unbeliever]

Often Januvia is prescribed to stop "spiking" and it appears o be very effective at that -also it doesn't cause weight gain as other drugs can.

I have severe retinopathy and macular oedema yet it was prescibed for me by the Diabetes Consultant after I had been referred to him by my my opthalmologist - so obviously he didn't consider retinal bleeding to be a cause for concern with this drug,

It is however, a newish drug and he longterm effecs are not yet known.

I can understand your feelings as diabetes medication caused my eye problems in the first instance,
I am highly suspicious of and very cautious about any chnges, In fact I only agreed to take Januvia
o keep me off insulin. I was afraid that changing to insulin and the initial weight gain and having to allow my levels to be higher for a while would cause futher damage tomy eyes.

I have been taking it for over a year now anfd it has alllowed me to stop taking the 6mg of dlimepiride
I had been on for years, My HBA1C has impproved dramatically and he weight I had gained with this drug just disappeared within weeks.

I am afraid that, as you know there are no easy answers, Its just a matter of balancing the risks.
And they are different for ebveryone.In my case my greatest risk is my DSN who does not appear to be very well informed abou medication. I would suggest that you discuss all your concerns with her first. Whayever anyone says a nurse is not a doctor and I find that they often do not see the whole picture ie don't take account of other conditions just focus on the diabetes,

Good luck. As far as the Januvia itself is concerned , some people on here have suffered a few side effecs initially - headaches and drowsiness but I think the overalll impression is favourable.

 

[WhitbyJet]

I think you are being very sensible in raising concerns re medications prescribed, it worries me to think that most of these new medications have not been on the market for all that long, yes I know stringent tests have to be carried out before new medications are unleashed onto the public but even so, they are chemicals, which means they are toxic to our bodies.

Personally I am scared of any medication nowadays, there was a time when I swallowed several prescribed medicines three times a day, then the side effects started, which meant yet more pills for me, eventually I became very ill. I dont take any medicines now, prescribed or otherwise.

Having said that I know of 2 people who are very happy with Metformin and Januvia, both long term users, it helps them to achive good bg levels, they have not experienced any side effects to speak of.

I'd say keep an eye on things and any problems cropping up dont delay in seeking medical advice, there are other effective medicines your doctor can prescribe if you are nervous about the Januvia.

How is your diet, do you restrict your carbs at all? Reducing carbs is another option to achieve better control.

All the best to you

 

[Daibell]

Yes, Januvia (sitagliptin) is quite new and obviously has little track record so far regarding side effects. I went onto it 9 months ago as Metformin and Gliclazide weren't really helping much and I was having increasingly large spikes. Januvia has noticeably reduced those. Yes, there are one or two bad possible side effects and pancreatitis is something to watch out for. I'm lucky as the only side effect was headaches for a week or two. Januvia does not cause Hypos whereas Gliclazide can do. The mechanisms of Januvia and Gliclazide are different. Glic stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. Januvia suppresses an enzyme that is involved in switching off insulin after a certain time interval so depending on which 'flavour' of db you have you will see different benefits or not from each

 

[Unbeliever]

I think the longterm effects are the problem . These won't be known or understood for a while..
Having said that there have been seveal cases of undesirable and dangerous side effects from drugs that were regaded as safe -obviously it depends on the reseach and evaluation as to whether the correct conclusions are drawn.

If we have to take these drugs we have to accept a certain risk. I am sure that we would all like to be able to do without them. I know i would.. Unfortunately this isnt possible for all of us but there is a great deal of saisfaciton in being able to cut down on medication.

 

[Arthurk]

Hi and thanks to everyone who took the time to reply - it is greatly appreciated.
I have decided to tell the doctor that I don't want to take the med. In the leaflet it says tell your doctor if you have ever had pancreatitis, gall-stones, high tri-glycerides or alcohol problems. Unfortunately I have suffered all four - although it is now nearly 9 years since I had any alcohol!!
All that - plus the stuff I read on the net have made me feel very unhappy about taking it.
My BS is pretty well controlled and has been throughout my 'diabetic' career so I will carry on much as before. If it all goes pear-shaped then I will obviously have to reconsider my position.
Thanks again for your input. Arthur

 

[Jung the foreman]

Hi, I was put on Januvia by my dietician in an attempt to lessen the intense hunger pangs I suffer from (even when my BG is high). I have to say this has worked and as a consequence I've only had 3 hypo's in the last 3 months, instead of 1 a week, although my HB1ac is unchanged at 8.7