Some studies suggest that the sitagliptin in Janumet may reduce defense against all cancers. Other studies have found higher rates of thyroid cancer in rodents treated with a drug similar to Janumet.
Overview
Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin) is approved to treat adults with type-2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise. The drug contains two medications that treat chronic high blood-sugar levels:
- Sitagliptin: This drug is a DPP-4 inhibitor, which increases the amount of a hormone called GLP-1, which stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin. Insulin is another hormone that lowers blood-sugar levels.
- Metformin: This anti-diabetes medication reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) that is converted from food and released into the blood.
Janumet Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a serious disease that occurs when the DNA of cells in the thyroid gland mutates and causes the cell to divide and grow out of control. The mass of cells is called a tumor, and cancerous cells from the tumor can spread to other organs or tissues.
- What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
- Does Janumet cause thyroid cancer?
- What are the complications of thyroid cancer?
- How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?
- How is thyroid cancer treated?
Studies of Janumet Thyroid Cancer
Janumet thyroid cancer is difficult to study because Janumet is relatively new, thyroid cancer is very rare, and cancer studies take many years to complete. However, concern about thyroid cancer has grown since a study found that rodents treated with liraglutide (a drug that is very similar to Janumet) developed thyroid tumors. It is unclear whether this study is applicable to humans. However, other studies have found that DPP-4 inhibition may increase the risk of all cancers.
Gastroenterology published a study in 2011 from researchers at UCLA who found 2 case reports of thyroid cancer associated with sitagliptin. Although there is no way to prove that sitagliptin caused thyroid cancer, it is a signal of a potential risk of Janumet thyroid cancer.
The FDA has also asked the manufacturer of sitagliptin, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, to conduct a long-term safety study to investigate the potential risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms of Janumet Thyroid Cancer
Symptoms of a potential case of Janumet thyroid cancer are highly noticeable and usually prompt diagnosis and treatment before the disease get out of control. More than 95% of people who are diagnosed with thyroid cancer have a slow-growing form of the disease.
However, early treatment is essential for all cancer. Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms of Janumet thyroid cancer:
- Lump on the neck or throat
- Neck swelling
- Changes in tone of voice
- Hoarseness or cough that is not due to illness
- Throat or neck pain, tenderness
- Ear pain
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
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