Januvia (Januvia)
Diabetes Medication Treatment
Januvia (sitagliptin) is an oral medicine used with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing insulin levels after meals and decreasing glucose production by the liver.
Table of Contents
Januvia Product Information
Januvia is a medicine that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a type of medicine known as a DPP-4 inhibitor. It works by helping prevent your blood sugar levels from getting too high. Common side effects may include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Serious side effects are rare, but may include inflammation of the pancreas or heart failure. Call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of these conditions, which may include vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back, swelling of your feet, ankles, or legs, or unusual tiredness. Januvia comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.
Januvia (sitagliptin) is commonly used with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Januvia may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
Januvia works to help keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. Januvia blocks an enzyme called DPP-4. Blocking DPP-4 helps increase the levels of natural hormones in your body called incretins. Incretins help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin levels when blood sugar is high, especially after meals. They also decrease the amount of glucose (sugar) that is made by the liver.
Take Januvia exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. You may take Januvia with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Januvia starts to work within a few hours, with noticeable improvements in blood glucose levels potentially seen within 1-2 weeks. Full effects may take 3 to 6 months.
The effects of Januvia last for approximately 24 hours, supporting its once-daily dosing regimen.
Januvia Quick View
| Active Ingredient | sitagliptin, sitagliptin phosphate |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Type | antidiabetic, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor |
| Onset | Within a few hours. |
| Duration | Approximately 24 hours. |
| Food Interaction | There are no known interactions between Januvia and foods or drinks. |
| Alcohol | It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Januvia, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. |
| Prescription | prescription only |
Januvia Side Effects
Common Side Effects
- Infection in the nose or throat, stuffy/runny nose, and sore throat
- Headache
- low blood sugar
Uncommon Side Effects
Rare Side Effects
- Severe Allergic Reactions (Breathing problems or wheezing, Racing heart, Fever or general ill feeling, Swollen lymph nodes, Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, Trouble swallowing or throat tightness, Itching or skin rash, Bumps on the skin called hives, Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting, Stomach cramps, Joint pain)
- Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis) (vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back)
- Heart Failure (Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down, Swelling of your feet, ankles, or legs, Unusually fast weight gain, Unusual tiredness)
- Kidney Damage (Reduced need to pee, Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, Weakness or unusual tiredness, A hard time catching your breath or chest pain/pressure, Confusion, Nausea, Seizures)
- Severe Joint Pain
- Severe Skin Reactions (bullous pemphigoid, itchy skin rash and large blisters)
Important Warning: Call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of serious conditions such as inflammation of the pancreas, heart failure, severe allergic reactions, kidney damage, severe joint pain, or severe skin reactions.
More Information About Januvia
Storage
Januvia should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container.
Contraindications
People who are allergic to Januvia, Sitagliptin, or any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed should not take Januvia. Also, do not use if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Drug Interactions
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, discuss any other medicines you use for diabetes before taking Januvia.
Januvia FAQs
Januvia (sitagliptin) is an oral medication primarily used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is typically prescribed alongside diet and exercise.
Januvia works by inhibiting the enzyme DPP-4, which in turn increases the levels of natural hormones called incretins. These incretins help lower blood sugar by boosting insulin production when blood sugar is high and reducing glucose production by the liver.
Common side effects of Januvia include upper respiratory tract infections (stuffy/runny nose, sore throat) and headaches. More serious, though rare, side effects can include pancreatitis, heart failure, and severe allergic reactions.
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Content last updated: 14 Apr 2026
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