Is it safe to take Januvia and Jardiance together?

In this article:

• Can you take Januvia and Jardiance together?
• Who should not take Januvia and Jardiance together?

In this article

• Can you take Januvia and Jardiance together?
• Who should not take Januvia and Jardiance together?

Januvia and Jardiance are two commonly prescribed oral medications used for Type 2 diabetes.

Januvia, made by Merck Sharp & Dohme, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise. It contains the active ingredient sitagliptin, which is part of a drug class called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Other drugs in this class include Nesina (alogliptin) and Tradjenta (linagliptin). Januvia works by increasing insulin and decreasing glucagon to lower blood sugar. 

Jardiance contains the active ingredient empagliflozin and is part of a drug class called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Other examples of drugs in this class include Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Invokana (canagliflozin). It works by helping the kidneys eliminate sugar through the urine. Jardiance is made by Boehringer Ingelheim and has several FDA-approved indications, which include:

• Blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise
• Lowering the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in adults with heart failure
• Lowering the risk of worsening kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression
• Lowering the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease

Januvia and Jardiance are both prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, but they are not the same. Both have unique ways of controlling blood sugar.

Can you take Januvia and Jardiance together?

Yes, healthcare providers may prescribe Jardiance and Januvia together for better blood sugar control. A healthcare provider will consider a person’s medical conditions and overall history to decide whether to use one drug or both drugs. 

Although there are many combination drugs for diabetes, there isn’t a combination drug that specifically combines Januvia with Jardiance. However, various drugs combine a DPP-4 inhibitor with an SGLT2 inhibitor. One example is Steglujan, which combines sitagliptin (the ingredient in Januvia) with an SGLT2 inhibitor called ertugliflozin. Another example is Trijardy XR, which combines empagliflozin (the ingredient in Jardiance) with metformin and a DPP-4 inhibitor called linagliptin.

Those who take Januvia and Jardiance together may also be on other medications for diabetes. According to American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, metformin is often a first-choice drug for Type 2 diabetes. It’s effective, well-tolerated, and reasonably priced. 

Evidence from clinical studies

One clinical trial included people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes who started on a combination of metformin, sitagliptin, and empagliflozin. Their average A1C dropped from about 11% to 7% over two years, and more than half kept their blood sugar under the 7% target. Patients also lost some body fat, gained muscle, and showed signs of healthier kidneys, without serious side effects.

Other studies show that combining an SGLT2 inhibitor with a DPP-4 inhibitor can be a more effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes than either drug alone. Combination tablets are already available and often make treatment simpler. The combination is considered safe, doesn’t cause hypoglycemia on its own, and may be especially helpful when added to metformin for people who still need better blood sugar control.

As always, a healthcare professional can provide appropriate medical advice on the best treatment.

Taking Januvia and Jardiance together

If you are prescribed both Januvia and Jardiance, you may want to know the best way to take these medications.

According to the prescribing information, Januvia should be taken once daily, with or without food. No specific time is noted. Jardiance should be taken once daily in the morning, with or without food. 

Here are some tips for taking both together:

• Take Jardiance in the morning. Add Januvia at the same time if it’s easiest for you.
• If you prefer, separate the timing. However, it’s important to stay consistent every day.
• Use a pillbox, reminder app, or alarm if you have trouble remembering daily doses.
• Stay hydrated, especially with Jardiance, since it increases urination.
• Ask your provider how often you should check your blood sugar.
• Know what steps to take if your blood sugar runs too low or too high.
• To avoid drug interactions, share all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.
• Follow your provider’s specific instructions for when and how to take each drug.

Taking Januvia and Jardiance together may be helpful when used as prescribed. Sticking to a routine and following up with a healthcare provider can help ensure the best results while lowering the risk of potential side effects.

Is Januvia or Jardiance better?

There isn’t one drug that’s automatically better for everyone. Januvia or Jardiance may be the right choice depending on your overall health, other medications, and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. What works well for one person may not be safe or effective for another.

*Price at the time of publishing. Drug prices vary by pharmacy, dosage, and more.

Both Januvia and Jardiance are available as oral tablets and are taken once daily, but they’re in different drug classes and have different side effects. Common Januvia side effects include upper respiratory infections, runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Common side effects of Jardiance include UTIs, genital yeast infections (male or female), upper respiratory tract infections, and joint pain. Serious side effects can occur with either drug. 

Your healthcare provider may decide that one drug is enough or that using both together makes sense. They might also recommend a different medication from the same class—or another type of diabetes drug altogether. The decision comes down to your overall health, blood sugar goals, side effects, and costs.

Who should not take Januvia and Jardiance together?

Most adults with Type 2 diabetes can take Januvia and Jardiance safely if prescribed by a healthcare provider. However, there are a few cases where this combination isn’t recommended. If you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to either drug, you shouldn’t take them again. These medicines also aren’t typically recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 

In addition, Januvia may not be recommended if you’ve had pancreatitis, severe joint pain, or heart failure. Jardiance may not be the best choice if you often get yeast or urinary tract infections, if you tend to get dehydrated, or if you’re at risk for a rare but serious problem called ketoacidosis, which can happen with certain illnesses, surgery, heavy alcohol use, or very low-carb diets. If you’re also on insulin or sulfonylureas, your doctor may need to adjust your doses to prevent low blood sugar.