Janumet

Janumet is a combination medicine commonly used for managing type 2 diabetes. Although it is not a cure, the medication can help control blood sugar levels to decrease the risk of developing complications associated with long-term diabetes. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken twice a day with meals. Side effects include nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Janumet Drug Information

What Is Janumet?

Janumet^® (sitagliptin and metformin) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). It is a combination medication, containing sitagliptin (Januvia^®) and metformin (Fortamet^®, Glucophage^®, Glucophage XR^®, Glumetza^®, or Riomet^®).

(Click Janumet Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes the Medication?

Janumet is made by Merck & Co., Inc.

How Does Janumet Work?

As mentioned, Janumet contains two different diabetes medications: sitagliptin and metformin. Sitagliptin is part of a class of diabetes medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. DPP-4 is an enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones. Inhibiting their action slows down the breakdown of incretin hormones, increasing the level of these hormones in the body.

This increase in hormones is responsible for the beneficial actions of Janumet, including elevating insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of glucose (sugar) that the liver produces.

Metformin is part of a class of diabetes drugs known as biguanide medications. It works in several ways. Metformin decreases the amount of sugar made by the liver. It can also decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet and can make insulin receptors more sensitive, which helps the body respond to its own insulin better.

All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels and a better control of blood sugar.

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