Does Januvia take time to get in your system?
Januvia (also known by its generic name, sitagliptin) belongs to a class of medications known as DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 is an enzyme that works against hormones produced by your intestines called incretins. Incretins increase insulin production when blood sugar is high, reduce the amount of sugar released by your liver, and suppress appetite. Therefore, Januvia prevents DPP-4 from destroying incretins, which helps control your blood sugar.
Januvia is taken once a day and absorbed fairly quickly, although it may take a week or so before you notice an improvement in your blood sugar. Because it only triggers insulin release when your blood sugar is high, it does not place you at risk for hypoglycemia when taken alone or with most diabetes medications, including metformin.
Answered By dLife Expert: Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian living in Southern California.
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