Best Time to Take Januvia?

Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription medication that helps to manage glucose in adults with Type 2 diabetes.  It is an oral medication taken by mouth once daily.  But, it is essential to be consistent about the time of day you take it.

Best Time to Take Januvia?
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

If you or a loved one is one of the 37 million people in the U.S. living with diabetes, you most likely have heard of Januvia (sitagliptin).   Januvia is an FDA-approved prescription medication for managing blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes.  Tablets are offered in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg strengths, with the typical dose of Januvia being 100 mg once a day.  However, your healthcare provider may prescribe a lower dose in certain situations.  Januvia is versatile and can be used alone, but it is often combined with other medications to manage blood sugar.
 
How is Januvia taken?
Januvia is taken with a healthy diet, exercise, and, in many cases, additional diabetes medications.  This duo can team up to reduce blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C).  It belongs to a group of medicines known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or "gliptins" for short.  Januvia balances two gut hormones in blood sugar control, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).  In addition to other effects, it helps to improve blood sugar control by enhancing insulin release and lowering glucagon (hormone) levels.
 
Best time to take Januvia
The best time is to find a way to incorporate Januvia into your lifestyle naturally.  If it is easier to take Januvia during breakfast, you could set a reminder to take it with your morning meal.  Or, if you have a more consistent nightly routine, you could incorporate it into your bedtime prep.  In this manner, you will remember to take it around the same time each day.
 
How long will Januvia take to work?
Medications work differently in everyone's body.  Usually, Januvia starts to lower blood sugar levels within one week.  But studies show it can take three to six months to experience its full A1C benefits.  
Note:  A1C measures your average blood sugar over a 3-month timeframe.
 
Should Januvia be taken with food?
You may take Januvia with or without food.  Either way, it will not change Januvia's effectiveness.  
 
Should Januvia be separated from other medications?
You do not need to separate Januvia from other medications throughout the day.  It interacts with very few medicines.  However, its blood sugar-lowering effects are sometimes exacerbated by other medications.
Januvia is not likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).  But if you take Januvia with certain diabetes medications, like insulin or sulfonylurea, there is a higher risk of experiencing it.  Hypoglycemia usually occurs when your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL. 
Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening if left untreated.  Signs of hypoglycemia include a fast heartbeat, shakiness, and confusion.  Taking 15 grams of carbohydrates will help raise blood sugar levels when needed.  Examples of sugar sources are 3 to 4 glucose tablets or 4 oz juice.  
To help avoid interaction risks, keep an up-to-date list of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that you take.  Your pharmacist and healthcare provider can check this list to see if Januvia interacts with anything.
 
What can I do if I experience side effects from Januvia?
Januvia is generally well-tolerated.  But as with all medications, Januvia can cause side effects you should be aware of.  Common side effects include cold symptoms and headaches.