Januvia Side Effects

Januvia is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, which is a chronic disorder that has an effect on the way the body metabolizes glucose (i.e., its main fuel source). Januvia is a pill, usually one-hundred milligrams, that is taken once per day to lower glucose levels. It works by raising the insulin produced within the pancreas and by lowering the amount of sugar produced by the liver. As with any prescription medication, patients risk possible side effects when taking Januvia.

Common Side Effects

Side effects that are highly common and not generally considered cause for alarm include headache, infection of the upper respiratory tract (e.g., common cold), stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar is a more dangerous side effect of taking Januvia. A patient who experiences low blood sugar symptoms should immediately seek medical help. These symptoms include dizziness, extreme hunger, difficulty speaking, tremors, cold sweats, blurred vision, coordination loss, seizure, disorientation, confusion and irritable or agitated mood.

High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar is considered to be an equally dangerous and harmful side effect of Januvia. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, excessive hunger and thirst, exhaustion, shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea and blurred vision.

Allergic Reaction

An allergic reaction is a severe side effect of the medication. A person who experiences an unusual skin rash, itchiness, hives, difficulty breathing, wheezing or odd swelling should immediately seek medical attention.

Drug Interactions

Certain medications should not be taken alongside Januvia, as they could result in negative drug interactions or lowered effectiveness of either medicine. These drugs are mostly those that decrease glucose such as sulfa medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, probenecids, beta blockers and aspirin.