Januvia is a brand-name prescription diabetes medication that controls blood sugar levels. Its active ingredient is sitagliptin, a drug classified as a DPP-4 inhibitor. Drugs like sitagliptin increase insulin concentrations in the blood after a meal and decrease the body’s production of a blood glucose-raising hormone during the rest of the day. Januvia may be prescribed alone or with other diabetes medications, and is taken once daily as a tablet.
Januvia overview
BRAND NAMES:
Januvia
Generic Names:
No generic available
Uses:
Improves blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes
Therapeutic Classes:
Antidiabetic, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitor)
Forms:
Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Januvia used for?
Healthcare professionals prescribe Januvia to control blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Key takeaways
Take Januvia once a day, around the same time each day. You can take this medicine with or without food.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and any other follow-up instructions.
Common side effects include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, and headache.
Store Januvia at room temperature, and keep out of reach of children.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule. Do not take two doses of Januvia at the same time.
What form(s) does Januvia come in
Tablet
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
What are common Januvia doses?
For Type 2 diabetes: 100 mg taken by mouth once daily
Find more detailed information about Januvia dosage, forms, and strengths here.
Common Januvia prescriptions
Januvia
30 tablets bottleJanuvia
90 tablets bottleJanuvia
30 tablets boxJanuvia
100mg tabletJanuvia
25mg tabletJanuvia
50mg tablet
How to take Januvia
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider.
Please read the medication guide that comes with this medicine. Your pharmacist can give you this information.
Take one tablet each day. It’s best to take Januvia at about the same time every day.
Tablets can be taken with or without food.
Store Januvia at room temperature.
What to do if you miss a dose of Januvia
Take a missed dose as soon as you remember.
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take your regular dose as scheduled.
Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose.
Januvia contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to sitagliptin or any ingredient in Januvia.
Januvia warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Your doctor will need to regularly check on your progress and order blood tests to spot kidney and other problems. Keep all appointments.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:
Kidney problems
A history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Gallstones
High triglyceride levels
A history of heavy alcohol use
Januvia can cause serious side effects, including:
Heart failure
Kidney problems, including kidney failure
Pancreatitis
Severe and disabling joint pain
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Serious allergic reactions
A serious skin reaction, known as bullous pemphigoid
Januvia interactions
To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products or supplements you use before starting Januvia, particularly insulin or a sulfonylurea (such as glipizide, glyburide, or glimepiride). People taking a sulfonylurea or using insulin may require lower doses of Januvia to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.
Januvia may be taken alone or with other diabetes medications. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Januvia side effects
Serious side effects
Get emergency or urgent medical help if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness
Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, weight gain, tiredness, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Headache, drowsiness, hunger, dizziness, jittery feeling, irritability, racing heartbeats, sweating
Severe joint pain
Itchy skin, large and fluid-filled blisters, and mouth sores
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash, skin erosion
Allergic reaction: Rash, hives, swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, trouble breathing or swallowing, chest tightness, fast or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, confusion, feeling faint
Less serious side effects
Upper respiratory infection
Sore throat
Stuffy or runny nose
Headache
Find more information about Januvia side effects here.
Sources:
Januvia drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Januvia sitagliptin tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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