Januvia, also known by its generic name sitagliptin, is an oral medication indicated for the regulation of blood sugar levels in diabetes-afflicted patients, according to medical journals. An increasingly popular drug that belongs to the class of insulin mimetics, it primarily functions by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that encourages the production of insulin by the pancreas after eating.
Potential Side Effects
As all forms of treatment, Januvia may also bear its own distinct unwanted effects, according to medical experts. As with other medications or treatments, Januvia has also been reported to bring about a string of side effects, medical experts say. Some of the side effects that may result from Januvia intake are as follows:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
Possible Deleterious Ties to Serious Pancreatic Problems
Since acquiring the clearance to enter the American consumer market in 2006, Januvia has reportedly become one of the most widely prescribed anti-diabetes drugs in the country, bringing $4 billion in sales for its manufacturer, second-largest US drug maker, Merck. However, studies linking the popular drug to serious problems that may affect the pancreas, a vital organ that plays a major role in producing insulin against diabetes, have also reportedly started to arise not long after the drug has been released.
In a study published in the journal Gastroenterology, researchers have reportedly found a sixfold increase of reported cases of pancreatitis in patients using Januvia or Byetta, an injectable anti-diabetes medication; and a 2.7-fold increase of reported pancreatic cancers among patients taking Januvia. A new study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, also revealed findings that link Januvia, and other newer forms of diabetes drugs, to an increased risk of acute pancreatitis — a serious condition characterized by the inflammation of the pancreas over a short period of time, in those who are taking them.
What Does the FDA Have to Say?
The government agency has reportedly released an early communication in March expressing their intent to further conduct a review on unpublished findings that zero in on the potential adverse effects tied to Januvia and other similar anti-high glucose drugs, according to online media reports. While the US FDA recommends that patients continue using their medication as prescribed, some of them, particularly those who may have had a first-hand encounter with these alleged side effects have reportedly began seeking professional advice from a Januvia lawyer in possibly embarking on a legal course.
Sources:
- diabetes.webmd.com/incretin-mimetics-for-type-2-diabetes
- chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=4850&page_no=2
- bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-25/merck-bristol-diabetes-drugs-linked-to-pancreatitis-risk.html
- usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/medical/story/2011-09-23/Popular-diabetes-drugs-may-raise-pancreatic-cancer-risk-study-suggests/50531776/1
- fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm343805.htm
- nhs.uk/conditions/Pancreatitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx