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Type 2 Type 2

Irish Maeve

Irish Maeve

Well-Known Member
Messages
67
Location
Northern Ireland
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Rain
Hi All. Just a quick query. I read somewhere a few days ago that the diabetic drug Januvia can cause cancerous tumours in the parcreas. This frightened me as I have been taking this for about 3 years now at 1 per day along with other meds for my Type 2 diabetes. At first it really brought BS right down but they have gradually been creeping up again and when I asked my GP if I could increase the Januvia she told me that 1 was the maximum dose I could take of this drug. Any thoughts on if I should still be on Januvia or should I ask to try something different. Thanks in advance.

Maeve
 
Irish Maeve said:
Hi All. Just a quick query. I read somewhere a few days ago that the diabetic drug Januvia can cause cancerous tumours in the parcreas. This frightened me as I have been taking this for about 3 years now at 1 per day along with other meds for my Type 2 diabetes. At first it really brought BS right down but they have gradually been creeping up again and when I asked my GP if I could increase the Januvia she told me that 1 was the maximum dose I could take of this drug. Any thoughts on if I should still be on Januvia or should I ask to try something different. Thanks in advance.

Maeve
Click to expand...
Have you tried metformin? What are the other meds? Do you have other conditions?
 
I went on Janumet 50/1000 twice a day for a few months this time last year. Janumet is a combination drug of Sutaglyptin ( the active part of Januvia) and metformin.

At the time I also read that the class of diabetes drugs called glyptins ( januvia being one of them) were suspected of leading to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer and also heart disease. I do not think this was actually proven hence why they are still prescribed.

On the flip side glyptins are also claimed to actually protect pancreatic beta cells from further diabetic deterioration. A claim which also has not been completely proven.

On balance having managed to get my levels under control I decided, with my doctors consent to go back to a metformin only regime.

But that was a personal choice made partly because I trusted metformin an older drug more than the sitagliptin but also because psychologically being prescribed an additional drug, when I had previously been on metformin alone, felt like a deterioration of my diabetes. But the doctor put me on an increased metformin dosage at first until I proved to him that I could maintain my glycemic control.

Discuss the issue with your doctor and explain your concerns but balance any risks with the benefits to your glycemic control.

Unfortunately, probably no medication is completely innocent and without risk. It 's often a case of what involves the higher risk taking a medication or not taking it.

Pavlos
 
pavlosn said:
I went on Janumet 50/1000 twice a day for a few months this time last year. Janumet is a combination drug of Sutaglyptin ( the active part of Januvia) and metformin.

At the time I also read that the class of diabetes drugs called glyptins ( januvia being one of them) were suspected of leading to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer and also heart disease. I do not think this was actually proven hence why they are still prescribed.

On the flip side glyptins are also claimed to actually protect pancreatic beta cells from further diabetic deterioration. A claim which also has not been completely proven.

On balance having managed to get my levels under control I decided, with my doctors consent to go back to a metformin only regime.

But that was a personal choice made partly because I trusted metformin an older drug more than the sitagliptin but also because psychologically being prescribed an additional drug, when I had previously been on metformin alone, felt like a deterioration of my diabetes. But the doctor put me on an increased metformin dosage at first until I proved to him that I could maintain my glycemic control.

Discuss the issue with your doctor and explain your concerns but balance any risks with the benefits to your glycemic control.

Unfortunately, probably no medication is completely innocent and without risk. It 's often a case of what involves the higher risk taking a medication or not taking it.

Pavlos
Click to expand...

When I was diagnosed about 9 years ago it was the usual diet/exercise regime which over time progressed to medication. Metformin was mentioned but because I have always been very slim she was reluctant to prescribe this as she thought I would lose weight and I preferred to try something which didn't have this effect. I started on 1 Gliclazide 30mg per day, this was increased to 2 per day after a year.. BS was still high and she added Sitaliptin (Januvia) to this mix and BS came right down. I haven't had any problems mentioned but apparently pancreatitis only shows when it is too late to do anything about it. Scary! I have gone on a low carb diet for the past 6 months and BS have lowered considerably but for the past week the carbs have crept back and result is high bloods again. I really must try harder but I do love my potatoes and they help me to retain a little bit of weight! I have appt with Diabetic consultant on 2 December and I will express my fears about the Januvia then. As you say I could ditch the Januvia and go onto something with even worse side effects. Thank you for your help Pavlos.
 
Very interesting ! Myself is on the same Janumet 50/1000 twice daily plus extra Metformin and Diamicron 30 .
I was before on Metformin only , but my doctor switched me to Janumet saying that this is a combination of two medicine and will work better . Since then (2011) I am on Janumet . I had changed my family doctor 2 times after that, but none of them changed or questioned about Janumet ,though I really did not recognize any difference/benefit of Janumet . Only thing is that Janumet is a very expensive drug much more than Metformin.
I am now also getting concerned about the dangerous effects of Januvia . Should consult my doctor during next appointment . Thanks to forum members for bringing up this issue
 
Hi Kaha. Will be interested to hear what your doctor's reply is on this issue. My readings certainly took a major drop when I went really low on Carbs - unfortunately I can't afford the weight loss, but I would certainly recommend anyone, who isn't concerned about weight loss, to try to reduce all carbs. I just increased my fat intake and it balanced out well. I am now back eating carbs but less than previously and it seems to be working for me at the minute. Best wishes.
 
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