Learn About Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes Medication - Merck
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UNDERSTANDING JANUVIA

JANUVIA is a once-daily pill that, along with diet and exercise, helps lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. JANUVIA is a type of prescription medicine called a DPP-4 inhibitor (blocker). DPP-4 blockers enhance the body's own ability to control blood sugar levels.

JANUVIA helps your body:
Learn about Diabetes and how JANUVIA helps your body. Increase insulin made by your pancreas, when blood sugar is high. This is when the body needs the most help in lowering blood sugar. Reduce the amount of sugar made by your liver when your body doesn’t need it

JANUVIA works only when your blood sugar levels are high

Because JANUVIA stops working before your blood sugar gets too low, it is not likely to lower your blood sugar to a potentially dangerous level (hypoglycemia). When your blood sugar levels are at a healthy balance, JANUVIA doesn't have an effect. When JANUVIA is used with a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur. To avoid this risk, your doctor may prescribe lower doses of the sulfonylurea.

Most people who took JANUVIA did not gain weight

Keeping at a healthy weight is an important part of taking care of your diabetes. A healthy weight is good for your heart and can help keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Most people with type 2 diabetes struggle to reach or maintain a healthy weight. This can be discouraging. So you’ll be glad to know that most patients who took JANUVIA did not gain weight.

A doctor may prescribe JANUVIA alone or together with certain other diabetes medicines to help control blood sugar. Take JANUVIA exactly as your doctor has prescribed and follow your doctor’s treatment plan for healthy eating and exercise.

Learn more about taking JANUVIA.

JANUVIA (jah-NEW-vee-ah) is a once-daily prescription pill that, along with diet and exercise, helps lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Important Information About JANUVIA

JANUVIA has not been studied with insulin and should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine) or used if you are allergic to JANUVIA. Your doctor may perform blood tests from time to time to measure how well your kidneys are working. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe lower doses of JANUVIA.

When JANUVIA is used with a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur. To avoid this risk, your doctor may prescribe lower doses of the sulfonylurea.

Allergic reactions, which may be serious, including rash, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing, can occur. If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking JANUVIA and call your doctor right away. The most common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, and headache.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Patient Information and discuss it with your doctor. Also available is the Prescribing Information.

*Terms and Conditions

  • To receive your free trial supply of JANUVIA, present the voucher with a valid signed prescription at a participating eligible retail pharmacy (certain restrictions apply).
  • No purchase is required. Not valid for refills. Not transferable. No substitutions are permitted.
  • Limit 1 voucher per patient. Valid for one-time use only. Patients who previously redeemed a voucher for JANUVIA made available through a newspaper, magazine, or the Internet are not eligible to redeem this voucher.
  • May not be combined with any other free trial, coupon, discount, prescription savings card, or other offer.
  • Void if reproduced. Void where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted.
  • Merck & Co., Inc., reserves the right to rescind, cancel, or amend this offer at any time without notice.
  • Voucher is not insurance.
  • Free trial offer valid only for up to 30 tablets of JANUVIA.
  • Patient must be 18 years or older.
  • Voucher can be used only by US residents at participating eligible retail pharmacies in the United States. Product must originate in the United States. Mail order pharmacies are not eligible.
  • Patient and prescriber agree not to seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received by the patient through this offer.
  • It is illegal for any person to sell, purchase, trade, or counterfeit the voucher. Voucher is property of Merck & Co., Inc., and must be turned in on request.
  • Expiration Date: 12/31/2009.
  • See voucher for full set of terms and conditions governing the program.

Please read the Patient Information and discuss it with your doctor. Also accompanying is the Prescribing Information.

JANUVIA is a registered trademark and Steps to Balance is a trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
This site is intended only for residents of the United States, its territories, and Puerto Rico.
Copyright © 2009 Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
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