Janumet contains a combination of metformin and sitagliptin. Metformin and sitagliptin are oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.

Metformin works by decreasing glucose (sugar) production in the liver and decreasing absorption of glucose by the intestines. Sitagliptin works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.

Janumet is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Janumet is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.

Take Janumet exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Janumet with meals.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Janumet tablets may not completely dissolve in the body. Part of the tablet may appear in your stool. This is a normal side effect of Janumet and will not make the medicine less effective.

Call your doctor if you see a tablet in your stool several times.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and appear quickly. It usually occurs when other serious health problems are present, such as a heart attack or kidney failure. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include: abdominal or stomach discomfort, decreased appetite, diarrhea, fast, shallow breathing, a general feeling of discomfort, muscle pain or cramping, and unusual sleepiness, tiredness, or weakness. If you have more than one of these symptoms together, you should get emergency medical help right away.

This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is more common when this medicine is taken together with certain medicines. Low blood sugar must be treated before it causes you to pass out (unconsciousness). People feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms you usually have so you can treat it quickly. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat low blood sugar.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

- Itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin;

- Severe or ongoing pain in your joints;

- Little or no urinating; or

- Shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain;

- Signs of low blood sugar, including headache, sleepiness, dizziness, sweating, feeling jittery, hunger, or fast heartbeat.

What is this medicine?

Janumet is a combination of 2 medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes. This medicine lowers blood sugar. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and exercise.

What if I miss a dose? 

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine? 

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.