Janumet & Weight Loss

Janumet is a drug approved to help diabetics. However, it has been noted that with drugs that help control blood sugar, a side effect is that many of the users of the medications also lose weight. Because of this, many users turn their attention to the weight-loss side effect rather than the drug's primary use.

Sitagliptin

Sitagliptin was approved for treating type 2 diabetes in 2006. It can stimulate insulin production in the body if the blood glucose levels fall too low. This helps prevent hypoglycemia.

Metformin

Metformin lowers blood insulin levels and helps control blood glucose levels and prevent hyperglycemia. This makes it beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly overweight sufferers. The FDA has approved metformin as a diabetic medication.

Janumet

Janumet is the brand name for a medication that is a combination of sitagliptin and metformin. It was approved to treat type 2 diabetes by the FDA in 2006 along with Januvia, the brand name of sitagliptin. The goal is that the combination of a drug that stimulates insulin and one that lowers insulin will level out blood glucose.

How It Works

Eating causes your blood glucose to rise. Insulin tells your brain that you're hungry, causing you to eat more. Insulin also tells your liver to manufacture fat. Janumet helps your body respond better to the changes in insulin by decreasing the amount of sugar made by the body. While some diabetic medicines can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the sitagliptin in Janumet stimulates insulin production if it gets too low.

Weight Loss

The weight loss benefit comes from Janumet's insulin control. If your blood sugar stays level, you won't feel hunger pangs that can lead to overeating. If you aren't overeating, it is less likely that you will gain weight. Janumet has not been used as a weight-loss drug, though. Weight loss is simply a side effect of the drug use. Other side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and/or a metallic taste.