Why do I have to take two medications for my diabetes, Januvia and gliclazide? Couldn't one be effective enough?

Question

I once took januvia alone and it didn't seem to be effective enough as the doctor prescribed a second one. I have been taking these medications for about 7 months. What is the property of the 2 drugs against diabetes, I have to meet the doctor in few days and I would like to know better the why I should take the 2 drugs.Thanks.

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello Ma'am, Some people are able to, indeed, control their diabetes with just one of these medications. How long have you been taking both of these medications, and have you ever taken either of them? First, from what you say, you seem to be taking this combination because the Januvia™ was not effective enough on its own. This medication works by increasing the life of the incretin hormones in your blood. These hormones help increase insulin production by the pancreas and decrease sugar production by the liver. Gliclazide, on the other hand, works in a different way than incretins to increase insulin production by the liver and increases the action of insulin on cells. Because their respective modes of action are complementary. That's why they are used together. Good day, Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist