Sitagliptin Side Effects

Sitagliptin may sometime cause common side effects. These side effects usually occur when starting therapy but disappears after the patients get adjusted to the drug.

Common side effects that can be reported with Januvia include:

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Cold sweats
• Confusion
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Increase in appetite
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Shakiness
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Severe Side Effects of Januvia

Patients taking Sitagliptin may rarely experience any of the severe side effects that require immediate medical attention. In case of experiencing any of the severe side effects, patients must immediately stop using the drug and consult to the doctor. Some of the severe side effects reported with the drug include:

• Low blood sugar symptoms like irritability, sweating and jittery feeling
• Pancreatitis symptoms like severe abdominal pain
• Kidney problem symptoms like loss of appetite, shortness of breath and passing little or no urine
• Severe skin rash like blistering and peeling
• Serious allergic reactions like swelling of face, lips, tongue, hives or difficulty in breathing

Sitagliptin Drug Interactions

Patients must inform their doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications they are taking or planning to take. This is advised to patients because Sitagliptin is known to interact with certain medications. However, drug interaction does not always indicate that patients should stop using any of the two interacting drugs. Most drug interactions can be managed with the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. Digoxin is a drug which should be cautiously used while taking Januvia. Besides this, patients must consult with the doctor prior taking any of the below given drugs:

• Reserpine
• Antipsychotic medications like chlorpromazine, olanzapine and risperidone
• Beta-blockers like salbutamol and salmeterol
• Albuterol
• Glucosamine
• Clonidine

Warnings Use of Drugs

To safely take this medication, it is important that patients are aware of all the important warnings and precautions associated with the drug. This will save the patients from further health complications and will allow them to have best effect of the drug. Some of the important warnings and precautions that must be kept in mind include:

• Patients allergic to Sitagliptin or any of the other ingredients of the drug should avoid using this drug.
• Elderly patients above the age of 75 years should avoid using Januvia.
• Pancreatitis is likely to occur in some of the patients, shortly after the drug is first started or the dosage is increased.
• Individuals suffering of Type 1 diabetes should avoid using this drug.
• Januvia may increase the risk of precancerous cellular changes in diabetes type 2 patients.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming the drug because this drug may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or even drowsiness due to fluctuation of blood pressure.
• Consumption of alcohol should be limited while taking this medication.
• Pregnant women should not use this drug.

Prior taking Januvia, patients should discuss with the doctor if they are suffering from any of the following problem:

• Kidney problem
• Pancreatitis
• Allergies to food, dyes or preservatives