JANUMET is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both sitagliptin and metformin is appropriate. [See Clinical Studies)]

Important Limitations of Use

JANUMET should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings.

JANUMET has not been studied in combination with insulin.

Recommended Dosing

The dosage of antihyperglycemic therapy with JANUMET should be individualized on the basis of the patient's current regimen, effectiveness, and tolerability while not exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of 100 mg sitagliptin and 2000 mg metformin. Initial combination therapy or maintenance of combination therapy should be individualized and left to the discretion of the health care provider.

JANUMET should generally be given twice daily with meals, with gradual dose escalation, to reduce the gastrointestinal (GI) side effects due to metformin.

The starting dose of JANUMET should be based on the patient's current regimen. JANUMET should be given twice daily with meals. The following doses are available:

50 mg sitagliptin/500 mg metformin hydrochloride

50 mg sitagliptin/1000 mg metformin hydrochloride.

Patients inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone

If therapy with a combination tablet containing sitagliptin and metformin is considered appropriate for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone, the recommended starting dose is 50 mg sitagliptin/500 mg metformin hydrochloride twice daily. Patients with inadequate glycemic control on this dose can be titrated up to 50 mg sitagliptin/1000 mg metformin hydrochloride twice daily.

Patients inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy

If therapy with a combination tablet containing sitagliptin and metformin is considered appropriate for a patient inadequately controlled on metformin alone, the recommended starting dose of JANUMET should provide sitagliptin dosed as 50 mg twice daily (100 mg total daily dose) and the dose of metformin already being taken. For patients taking metformin 850 mg twice daily, the recommended starting dose of JANUMET is 50 mg sitagliptin/1000 mg metformin hydrochloride twice daily.

Patients inadequately controlled on sitagliptin monotherapy

If therapy with a combination tablet containing sitagliptin and metformin is considered appropriate for a patient inadequately controlled on sitagliptin alone, the recommended starting dose of JANUMET is 50 mg sitagliptin/500 mg metformin hydrochloride twice daily. Patients with inadequate control on this dose can be titrated up to 50 mg sitagliptin/1000 mg metformin hydrochloride twice daily. Patients taking sitagliptin monotherapy dose-adjusted for renal insufficiency should not be switched to JANUMET [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Patients switching from co-administration of sitagliptin and metformin

For patients switching from sitagliptin co-administrated with metformin, JANUMET may be initiated at the dose of sitagliptin and metformin already being taken.

Patients inadequately controlled on dual combination therapy with any two of the following antihyperglycemic agents: sitagliptin, metformin or a sulfonylurea

If therapy with a combination tablet containing sitagliptin and metformin is considered appropriate in this setting, the usual starting dose of JANUMET should provide sitagliptin dosed as 50 mg twice daily (100 mg total daily dose). In determining the starting dose of the metformin component, the patient's level of glycemic control and current dose (if any) of metformin should be considered. Gradual dose escalation to reduce the gastrointestinal (GI) side effects associated with metformin should be considered. Patients currently on or initiating a sulfonylurea may require lower sulfonylurea doses to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS.]

No studies have been performed specifically examining the safety and efficacy of JANUMET in patients previously treated with other oral antihyperglycemic agents and switched to JANUMET. Any change in therapy of type 2 diabetes should be undertaken with care and appropriate monitoring as changes in glycemic control can occur.

Dosage Forms And Strengths

• 50 mg/500 mg tablets are light pink, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “575” debossed on one side.
• 50 mg/1000 mg tablets are red, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “577” debossed on one side.

Storage and Handling

No. 6747 — Tablets JANUMET, 50 mg/500 mg, are light pink, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “575” debossed on one side. They are supplied as follows:

NDC 0006-0575-61 unit-of-use bottles of 60
NDC 0006-0575-62 unit-of-use bottles of 180
NDC 0006-0575-52 unit dose blister packages of 50
NDC 0006-0575-82 bulk bottles of 1000.

No. 6749 — Tablets JANUMET, 50 mg/1000 mg, are red, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets with “577” debossed on one side. They are supplied as follows:

NDC 0006-0577-61 unit-of-use bottles of 60
NDC 0006-0577-62 unit-of-use bottles of 180
NDC 0006-0577-52 unit dose blister packages of 50
NDC 0006-0577-82 bulk bottles of 1000.

Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F), excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F), [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Issued February 2008, Distributed by: K MERCK & CO., INC., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA 97941. FDA rev date: 2/26/2008

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