Farxiga and Januvia are oral medications to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Even though they both have the same benefits, their ingredients are different. Farxiga is a brand of dapagliflozin manufactured by AstraZeneca, while Januvia is a brand of sitagliptin produced by Merck & Co.
If you or your cherished ones take both types of medication to treat diabetes, be sure to explore further to find out what side effects they cause. Being mindful of taking medication will prevent you from adverse health risks. Let’s break the ground by reading this insightful article!
Januvia in a Nutshell
Januvia is a brand of sitagliptin manufactured by Merck & Co. to treat type 2 diabetes by prescription. Doctors can prescribe this brand of sitagliptin alone or in combination with other diabetes medications.
Farxiga and Januvia have both received approval from the FDA. However, Januvia was released on the market before Farxiga. The sitagliptin drug from Merck & Co. received FDA approval in October 2006.
Farxiga in a Nutshell
Farxiga is a brand of medicine manufactured by AstraZeneca with the main ingredient dapagliflozin. Medical professionals usually prescribe this oral medication to treat people with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease.
Dapagliflozin works by increasing the amount of sodium in the distal tubule and reducing the sodium reabsorbed by the kidneys. Thus, Farxiga is known as a selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor drug. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Farxiga on January 8, 2014.
In-Depth Exploration of The Side Effects of Farxiga and Januvia
Every drug must have side effects. However, the severity of the side effects of the drug depends on how long and how high the dose you take. Let’s uncover the side effects of these two type two diabetes medications!
1. Farxiga
Below are the side effects that may arise from taking Farxiga according to the Good RX page.
a. Genital Infections
The most common side effect of taking Farxiga is genital infections. The buildup of fungus comes from excessive glucose in the urine. Women who suffer from type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to genital infections than men with type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of genital infections include pain, fever, or even swelling of the genitals.
b. Hypoglycemia
Since Farxiga and Januvia function to control blood sugar by reducing blood glucose as a whole, the side effect of Farxiga is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level is too low. As a result, symptoms may occur, such as:
- dizzy;
- starving;
- fatigue;
- sweating;
- weakness;
- confusion;
- fast heartbeat;
- shakiness; and
- fatigue.
c. Ketoacidosis
A life-threatening side effect of taking Farxiga is ketoacidosis. This condition occurs when glucose in the blood is too high, resulting in a buildup of fatty acids or ketones. People with type 2 diabetes who experience ketoacidosis must receive medical treatment quickly. Here are the symptoms of ketoacidosis that you can recognize.
- Dry mouth;
- fatigue;
- thirsty;
- fruity breath;
- vomit;
- confusion; and
- difficulty breathing.
d. Cold Symptom
Taking Farxiga and Januvia has the same side effects as cold symptoms. Clinical trial data reports that as many as 6-7% of people who consumed Farxiga experienced sneezing, sore throats, and runny noses.
e. Urinating More Frequently
Since Farxiga works by removing glucose from the body, kidney function will also increase. As a consequence, you will urinate frequently if you take a 10 mg dose of Farxigra.
2. Januvia
Good RX also shares the side effects that may arise from taking type two diabetes medication Januvia as follows.
a. Kidney Problems
Taking Januvia can reduce kidney function and even cause acute kidney failure. This side effect is rare because it only occurs in patients under certain conditions. If the patient already has kidney problems, it is best not to take Januvia.
However, doctors can prescribe this diabetes medication from Merck & Co. at a low dose if they cannot find alternative medications.
b. Heart failure
Although Farxiga and Januvia both have negative side effects on health, Januvia can cause heart failure. This condition will get worse if the patient taking Januvia already has kidney disease and heart failure.
You can immediately visit the nearest emergency room if you experience the following symptoms.
- Swelling of the arms or legs;
- hard to breathe;
- sudden weight gain; And
- unusual fatigue.
c. Pancreatitis
Januvia is associated with pancreatitis although this side effect is rare. Since pancreatitis is lethal, you must be aware if symptoms such as the following appear.
- Jaundice;
- severe stomach pain;
- nauseous; and
- vomit.
In order to maintain your health condition, you must immediately consult a physician. Therefore, they will look for alternative types of diabetes medication that are safe for your condition.
d. Joint pain
Some patients who took Januvia reported they experienced joint pain. The joint pain is in the knee area, fingers, and hips. In fact, joint pain is a fairly rare side effect. However, you’d better consult the physician regarding this condition.
e. Serious Skin Reactions
Although patients rarely report serious skin reactions, taking Januvia may experience these side effects. Symptoms of a serious skin reaction include a rash, blisters, and peeling. In addition, serious skin reactions also cause fever and body aches.
Lawsuits Against Farxiga and Januvia
Januvia and Farxiga have received lawsuits because of side effects that endanger health or even cause death. Generally, these claims are class actions or individual lawsuits.
According to information from the Miller and Zois page, the plaintiff is suing Januvia because it allegedly contains carcinogenic compounds that cause pancreatic cancer. Otherwise, Farxiga was sued for causing injury to death in patients who consumed it.
How to File a Lawsuit?
First things first, contact a personal injury attorney so they can provide legal advice and navigation. The lawyer will study the lawsuit you will file. Typically, they will also assist you in collecting evidence to meet the eligibility of your claim.
Correspondingly, your lawyer will assist you in obtaining compensation for the losses you have suffered.
Are you enlightened by the discussion of Farxiga and Januvia?
Even though they have the same benefits, the main ingredient of the drug is different. While doctors may prescribe Farxigra and Januvia to treat type 2 diabetes for its sufferer, you still can prevent the side effects by grasping information regarding the medicines.
Besides, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns, condition, and the risk possibility of consuming the two medicines with your physician. In case of adverse effects, as small as it is, you should signal your physician.
Contact your attorney if in the worst case, the medicines cause harmful adverse effects to your condition. Whether it’s due to the wrong prescription of the drug, or the manufacturer’s failure to inform you about the side effects of the drug.
