Type 2 diabetes has become an extremely common health condition. When doctors and patients are deciding which diabetes medicine might work best, it is important to consider the most significant risks as well as the benefits. One class of drugs to lower blood sugar, those that mimic the hormone incretin, appears to increase the risk for inflammation of the pancreas.
Side Effects of Sitagliptin (Januvia):
Q. I have been taking the diabetes medicine Januvia for type 2 diabetes for about four years. I’m now recovering from a nasty condition that I believe was an inflamed pancreas. Worse, I am suffering debilitating joint pain all over.
I had no joint pain before and now I can hardly walk. I’ve also had a constant runny nose for these four years.
What can I do? I have told the doctor about these problems but she hasn’t done anything.
A. The problems you are experiencing are known side effects of sitagliptin (Januvia). Pancreatitis is very dangerous.
Should You Stop Taking Januvia?
The FDA warns that both pancreatitis and severe joint pain are grounds to stop the drug. The agency specifies that patients should not do this on their own, however. Before taking any action please consult your physician again. The doctor is supposed to consider whether it is appropriate to discontinue the medication.
There are quite a few other possible drugs that can help control blood sugar and reduce your risk of side effects. She will probably be able to prescribe you a different diabetes medicine that doesn’t cause you these serious adverse reactions. We are sending you our Guide to Managing Diabetes so you can be prepared to discuss other options with her.
