Compare Precose vs. Janumet
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Precose (acarbose) helps lower your post-mealtime blood sugar levels, but it must be taken at the beginning of each main meal in order for it to be most effective.
Lowers your blood sugar.
Janumet is a combination of two anti-diabetic medicines that work better together, but is available as brand only.
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3.4/ 5 average rating with 79 reviewsforJanumet
Upsides
- Precose (acarbose) helps control meal-time blood sugar levels without causing weight gain.
- When used alone it doesn't normally cause blood sugar levels to be too low unlike other anti-diabetes medicines.
- Safe to be used in people age 65 or older.
- Has relatively few interactions with other medicines.
- This 2-in-1 combination can lower the number of pills you have to take daily.
- Lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 2.5%.
- Available in extended and immediate release forms to allow better control of your blood sugar.
- Doesn't increase your appetite unlike other anti-diabetic medicines.
- Does not cause hypoglycemia or very low blood sugar.
Downsides
- Not a first choice medicine because it isn't as effective at lowering blood sugar compared to other treatment options.
- Associated with bothersome side effects like excessive gas and diarrhea.
- Relatively more expensive than other diabetes medicines.
- Has to be taken three times a day with each meal.
- Might cause episodes of low blood sugar when taken together with insulin or medicines that stimulate insulin release.
- Available as brand name only and may be expensive.
- Metformin component usually causes upset stomach.
- Sitagliptin component may increase your risk for throat infections and inflammation of pancreas.
- Not appropriate for those with poor kidney function.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$15.16
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$558.80
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
79 reviews so far
46%
saidit'sworth it
38%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
5possible side effects
- Low blood sugar16%
- Diarrhea8%
- Upper respiratory tract infection6%
- Headache6%
- Abdominal pain2%
Risks and risk factors
- Low blood sugar
- Using insulin or other medicines that stimulate insulin release
- Kidney function
- Those with kidney problems
- Interactions with other medicines
- Taking multiple medicines together
- Excess lactic acid in the blood
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Congestive heart failure
- Using contrast dye for procedures
- Surgery
- Alcohol use
- Low vitamin B12 levels
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Serious allergic reactions