DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a woman, age 82 and have had several high blood sugar readings over the past two years. Today my doctor wants to put me on Januvia, 50 mg once daily. My last two lab tests were 8.3 and 8.1 respectively. I am a notorious eater of candies and cookies, particularly anything chocolate. I am guilty of procrastination, do not exercise on a regular basis and at 5’5” am about 20 pounds overweight. Having just read of all the possible side effects of this medication, I am extremely reluctant to take it. I take 30 mg of lisinopril in combination with 2.5 mg generic for Norvasc for high blood pressure, which seems to be well under control. It is normally between 120-135/67-70. I also take Buspar 10 mg in the morning and 15mg at night, pravastatin 10mg at night, and an 81mg aspirin on alternate mornings (I still bruise easily).
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