About Januvia Diabetes Medication
Diabetes is a serious disease affecting more than 24 million people in the United States and contributing to more than 250,000 deaths a year. To battle these statistics, drug maker Merck & Co. has released Januvia, a medication designed to specifically manage type 2 diabetes. Once termed "adult onset diabetes," the incidents of type 2 has made a dramatic increase in recent years due to the consumption of high fat, processed foods. Januvia is not recommended for children or individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes.
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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
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In a healthy individual, the body takes the food you eat and converts it to glucose sugars which are used to provide energy to carry out the essential life functions. Insulin, a naturally occurring pancreatic hormone, is responsible for helping sugar in the blood stream enter cells, where it can be processed for energy use. In type 2 diabetes, insulin fails to complete its job, allowing sugar to build up in the blood stream and results in high blood sugar levels known as hyperglycemia. Left uncontrolled, elevated sugar levels can result in blindness, heart disease, nerve damage and other serious conditions.
Januvia is Different
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The prescription pill Januvia is a once-a-day treatment that acts in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Januvia is a new generation of oral diabetes medication working with both the pancreas and the liver. It increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas while decreasing the amount of sugar made by the liver. The desirable result is consistently stable levels of blood glucose.
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Side Effects
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It is important to follow physician instructions and clearly understand the side effects before choosing Januvia for diabetes management. Upper respiratory infection, headache, sore throat, and stomach irritation have been experienced by some Januvia users. Physicians must carefully monitor liver and kidney function to prevent damage from sustained use.
Allergic Reactions and Drug Interactions
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Januvia users should be aware of the signs of an allergic reaction. Consult immediate medical attention if experiencing any of the following serious symptoms: breathing difficulty, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, hives or a rash. The risk of low blood sugar is more common in patients taking a sulfonylurea product while on Januvia. Consult your healthcare provider before taking both medications.
Financial Assistance
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Through the Merck Patient Assistance Program, Merck and Company Inc. offers financial assistance to uninsured individuals, those without prescription insurance or anyone unable to afford medications and vaccinations. Drugs produced by Merck are offered free or at a discount to qualifying individuals. Details of the confidential program are available through physicians and online.
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