Janumet XR (sitagliptin/metformin XR)

Janumet XR is a prescription, extended-release combination tablet used to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. This overview explains what the medicine does, how dosing is typically scheduled, and which safety checks are commonly discussed in clinic visits. It also outlines how prescriptions are processed through CanadianInsulin, including US shipping from Canada, for people using cash pay without insurance.

Use this page to compare formulations, review storage basics, and understand common interaction and monitoring topics before speaking with a licensed healthcare professional.

What Janumet XR Is and How It Works

This medicine combines two glucose-lowering drugs in one tablet: sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and metformin extended-release (a biguanide). Sitagliptin helps raise incretins (gut hormones that signal insulin release) when blood sugar is high. Metformin ER reduces glucose production in the liver and helps the body respond better to insulin. The extended-release design releases metformin more slowly, which may improve gastrointestinal tolerability for some people compared with immediate-release metformin.

The therapy is indicated for type 2 diabetes and is not used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. It is often considered when a clinician wants the convenience of a fixed-dose combination rather than separate tablets. For broader background on the condition and related treatments, browse the Type 2 Diabetes hub.

CanadianInsulin coordinates prescription intake as a referral service for dispensing pharmacies.

Who It’s For

This extended-release sitagliptin/metformin combination is used in adults with type 2 diabetes when lifestyle measures alone are not enough, or when a clinician is stepping up therapy from one medicine to a two-drug approach. Some people start it after metformin alone, while others transition from separate sitagliptin and metformin products to simplify their regimen.

Contraindications and common “do not use” situations are driven largely by the metformin component. The product is not appropriate for people with severe kidney impairment, acute or chronic metabolic acidosis (including diabetic ketoacidosis), or a known allergy to either ingredient. A prescriber may also avoid it during acute illness that can cause dehydration or reduced kidney perfusion, because metformin accumulation can raise the risk of lactic acidosis (dangerous acid buildup). To explore other non-injectable options, the Non Insulin Medications category is a browseable list of therapies.

Dosage and Usage

For many adults, extended-release sitagliptin/metformin is taken once daily with a meal, but the exact schedule and tablet strength depend on prior therapy, kidney function, and tolerability. Clinicians commonly start at a lower metformin ER dose and increase gradually to reduce stomach upset. If switching from immediate-release metformin or from separate components, the prescriber typically selects a total daily metformin amount that is as close as possible to the current dose, while keeping sitagliptin within the labeled daily maximum.

Janumet XR tablets are swallowed whole and should not be split, crushed, or chewed, because that can interfere with the extended-release mechanism. If a dose is missed, labeling usually advises taking the next dose at the regular time and not doubling up, but directions can differ by individual plan and renal status. For a longer walk-through of label-aligned schedules and switching considerations, see Janumet Dosage.

Quick tip: Keep an updated medication list that includes vitamins and supplements.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as oral extended-release tablets. Each tablet contains a fixed amount of sitagliptin with an extended-release amount of metformin. Common presentations may include combinations that pair sitagliptin 50 mg or 100 mg with metformin ER 500 mg or 1000 mg, though availability can vary by dispensing pharmacy and jurisdiction. Because sitagliptin/metformin XR is a fixed-dose product, the selected strength needs to match both components of the regimen, not just the metformin amount.

Janumet XR is typically identified by the strength on the label and packaging. The table below shows examples of combinations that are commonly referenced on labels; confirm the exact strength on the dispensed carton and bottle.

If you are comparing other fixed-dose options, the Combination Tablets category groups similar multi-ingredient products.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store extended-release sitagliptin/metformin tablets at controlled room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children and pets. Do not store in a bathroom medicine cabinet if it is frequently humid. If the pharmacy provides a desiccant (drying packet), keep it in the bottle unless the label instructs otherwise.

For travel, carry tablets in the original labeled container to reduce confusion and support security checks. Consider packing doses in a carry-on bag to avoid temperature extremes in checked luggage. If crossing time zones, keep a consistent once-daily routine with a meal and confirm timing with the prescriber if the schedule becomes unclear.

Why it matters: Stable storage helps maintain tablet quality over the labeled shelf life.

Side Effects and Safety

Side effects can come from either ingredient. The metformin ER component is most often associated with gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, gas, or reduced appetite, especially during initiation or dose escalation. Sitagliptin can be associated with headache or upper-respiratory symptoms in some people. Low blood sugar is less common when this combination is used alone, but the risk can increase if it is taken with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Serious issues to recognize

Janumet XR carries important warnings that clinicians review before and during therapy. Metformin exposure can, in rare cases, be linked to lactic acidosis, particularly with significant kidney impairment, dehydration, heavy alcohol intake, or conditions that reduce oxygen delivery. Sitagliptin has been associated with pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation), severe allergic reactions, and severe joint pain in post-marketing reports. Unexplained severe abdominal pain, rapid breathing, unusual fatigue, or swelling of the face and throat are examples of symptoms that warrant urgent medical assessment.

Periodic lab monitoring is often discussed, including kidney function and, in longer-term metformin use, vitamin B12 levels when clinically indicated. For a focused overview of potential adverse effects and what is typically monitored, read Janumet Side Effects.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interactions are most clinically relevant for the metformin component. Iodinated contrast dye used in some imaging procedures can affect kidney function; clinicians may temporarily hold metformin-containing products around certain contrast studies based on renal status and procedure risk. Alcohol can increase the likelihood of metformin-related lactic acidosis, so intake should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Some drugs that affect kidney function, hydration status, or glucose regulation may also change how the regimen is tolerated.

Because sitagliptin and metformin can be used alongside other diabetes medications, prescribers often reassess hypoglycemia risk when adding insulin or insulin secretagogues. If a patient is transitioning from a DPP-4 inhibitor alone, a comparison of component-based therapy can be helpful; see Januvia Vs Janumet for a practical overview of how these approaches differ.

When required, prescriptions may be confirmed directly with the prescriber before dispensing.

Compare With Alternatives

Choosing between a fixed-dose combination and separate tablets usually depends on tolerability, kidney function, target doses, and regimen simplicity. Some people use metformin alone, while others use a DPP-4 inhibitor alone, then add the second ingredient if additional glucose lowering is needed. Another approach is to take the two components as separate products, which can allow more flexible metformin titration.

Janumet XR is one option among several oral combinations. Alternatives a clinician may consider include metformin by itself (including extended-release versions), sitagliptin alone, or other combination products that pair metformin with different drug classes (such as SGLT2 inhibitors) depending on cardiovascular, kidney, and weight considerations. For component-level comparisons, see Janumet Vs Metformin. Product pages for reference include Metformin and Januvia Tablets.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket expenses for combination tablets vary by strength, quantity, and dispensing pharmacy. When comparing cash-pay options, consider whether the fixed-dose format matches the intended metformin ER and sitagliptin amounts, because a mismatch can lead to avoidable changes in tablet count. In addition, costs can differ from taking the two components separately, depending on local availability and formulary coverage.

Janumet XR requests placed through CanadianInsulin are routed to licensed Canadian pharmacies for dispensing, and the service supports cash-pay access for people who do not use insurance. Orders may be fulfilled as Ships from Canada to US when permitted and when documentation is complete. If you want to review site-wide specials that may apply, visit Current Promotions.

Medications are dispensed by licensed pharmacies in Canada.

Authoritative Sources

For details that should match your prescription label, rely on official prescribing information and regulator-maintained references. These sources describe indications, contraindications, dose limits, renal adjustments, and boxed or serious warnings in standardized language. If there is a mismatch between any summary and the official label, the prescriber’s instructions and the approved labeling are the correct reference points.

• FDA product information can be found via Drugs@FDA Janumet XR application overview.
• Consumer-friendly counseling information is available from MedlinePlus sitagliptin and metformin.

To start a request, submit the prescription details for review; the dispensing pharmacy selects prompt, express, cold-chain shipping when temperature control is required.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.