What is Januvia and how does it work?

Januvia is the brand name for sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor. It increases incretin hormones, which boost insulin after meals and reduce glucagon. This helps lower fasting and post-meal glucose. It is taken once daily, usually with low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.

What is the usual dose of Januvia?

The typical maintenance dose is 100 mg once daily in adults with normal kidney function. Dosing changes are based on eGFR. Many prescriptions are for Januvia 100 mg tablets. People with moderate or severe renal impairment often use 50 mg or 25 mg once daily instead.

How long does Januvia take to start working?

Blood sugar can improve within several days of starting therapy. You may see earlier changes in fasting and post-meal readings. A1C reflects average glucose over time, so most people see the full effect after about three months of steady use, along with diet and exercise.

Can I take Januvia with metformin or insulin?

Sitagliptin is often combined with metformin when one agent is not enough. It can also be used with basal insulin or an SGLT2 inhibitor. When used with insulin or a sulfonylurea, a dose reduction of the other agent may be considered to lower hypoglycemia risk under clinician guidance.

What side effects should I watch for with Januvia?

Common effects include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, and mild stomach upset. Serious effects are less common but include pancreatitis, severe joint pain, blistering skin reactions, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, swelling of the face, or trouble breathing.

How should I store Januvia and travel with it?

Store tablets at 20–25°C in the original container and protect them from moisture. Keep them out of reach of children. When traveling, carry the medicine in your hand luggage with the prescription label. Avoid extreme temperatures such as hot cars or freezing conditions.

Is there a generic for Januvia and how can I save?

Sitagliptin is the generic name for Januvia. Where available, generic sitagliptin may offer a lower price. Buying multiple months at once can reduce the monthly cost. Customers often save 60–80% compared with typical US prices when ordering from a licensed Canadian pharmacy.

Januvia

Januvia® (sitagliptin) tablets for type 2 diabetes

Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia, Type 2 Diabetes

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What Januvia® Is and How It Works

Januvia® (sitagliptin) is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor for adults with type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar when used with diet and exercise. It comes as oral tablets taken once daily. Available strengths include 25 mg, 50 mg, and Januvia 100 mg. The usual maintenance dose is 100 mg once daily in people with normal kidney function.

As a DPP-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin increases levels of incretin hormones. These hormones help the pancreas release more insulin after meals and reduce glucagon. This dual action lowers fasting and post-meal glucose. It has a low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone and is generally weight neutral.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. Orders are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, along with select OTC products. You can order online, and our friendly customer-service chat is available during posted office hours.

For sourcing and quality, we work with licensed, carefully vetted partner pharmacies abroad to supply authentic brand products, a wide selection, and affordable pricing.

Dosage and Usage

The prescriber chooses the dose based on kidney function and overall therapy. Typical use follows these steps:

Usual dose: 100 mg once daily, with or without food.
Renal dosing: 50 mg once daily if eGFR 30 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m²; 25 mg once daily if eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² or on dialysis.
When combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin, a lower dose of the other agent may be needed to reduce hypoglycemia risk.
Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not crush or split unless advised by a pharmacist.
Missed dose: take when remembered the same day. Skip if near the next dose. Do not double doses.

Storage and travel tips:

Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C are acceptable.
Keep tablets in the original container. Protect from moisture.
Store out of reach of children and pets.
For travel, keep medicine in a carry-on bag with the prescription label.
Avoid leaving tablets in hot cars or freezing environments.

Benefits and Savings

Januvia® reduces A1C by about 0.5% to 0.8% when used alone. It can be added to metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, or insulin for extra control. The once-daily dosing is simple, and it is generally weight neutral with a low risk of hypoglycemia when not used with insulin or a sulfonylurea.

Ordering from YouDrugstore helps you access Canadian pricing. Many customers see 60–80% savings versus typical US prices. Our pharmacists review every prescription and can address medication questions.

Side Effects and Safety

Most people tolerate sitagliptin well. Some effects are mild and short-lived. Serious effects are less common but need attention. Seek urgent care for severe symptoms.

Common: stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, headache.
Gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, stomach discomfort.
Metabolic: hypoglycemia mainly when used with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
Skin: rash or itching.
Serious: pancreatitis (severe, persistent abdominal pain that may reach the back), severe joint pain, bullous pemphigoid (blistering), kidney problems, and allergic reactions (swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing).

Tell a healthcare professional about kidney disease, pancreatitis history, gallstones, very high triglycerides, or alcohol misuse. Report all medicines and supplements. Digoxin levels can rise with sitagliptin; monitoring may be needed when both are used.

Onset Time

Blood sugar improvements can begin within the first few doses. Fasting and post-meal glucose often improve within several days. A1C changes appear over weeks. Expect the full effect by about three months of steady use.

Compare With Alternatives

Metformin remains a common first-line therapy. Many patients who need extra control use a fixed-dose combination such as Janumet® (sitagliptin plus metformin) or extended-release Janumet Xr®. These options simplify regimens by combining two agents in one tablet.

SGLT2 inhibitors like Invokana® (canagliflozin) lower blood sugar by increasing urinary glucose excretion. They can promote modest weight loss and have cardiovascular and renal outcome data in selected patients. An SGLT2 inhibitor can be used with sitagliptin if appropriate.

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as dulaglutide or semaglutide are injectable options. They can lower A1C more than DPP-4 inhibitors and often reduce weight, but they require injections and may have more gastrointestinal effects. For background on these options, see our article Thinking About Trulicity Weight Loss Read This First or the overview Best Weight Loss Injections Top Options To Consider.

Combination Therapy

Sitagliptin is often combined with metformin when one drug is not enough. It can also be used with an SGLT2 inhibitor, a thiazolidinedione, or basal insulin. If used with insulin or a sulfonylurea, a dose reduction of the other agent may lower hypoglycemia risk. The prescriber tailors the plan to each patient’s goals and kidney function.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Januvia® is for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Kidney function guides dosing. Limited data exist in severe liver disease. People with pancreatitis history should discuss risks. Older adults may need more frequent kidney checks. Review all medicines, including digoxin and OTC products, with your care team.

Sitagliptin is the generic name for Januvia®. Where available, a generic sitagliptin can reduce costs. We offer brand and generic choices when supply allows. Ordering a multi-month supply can lower your per-month cost, and we can send gentle reorder reminders before you run out.

For current offers and bulk options, see our januvia coupon page.

You can browse related conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and Hyperglycemia to find other therapies and supplies. If you are comparing treatments that affect weight, our guide Mounjaro Dosage Beginners Guide To Dosing can help frame questions for your clinician.

Authoritative Sources

Review official information at the Merck product page for Januvia, the Health Canada Drug Product Database entry, and the FDA Prescribing Information.

Order with confidence from YouDrugstore, a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba. Our pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing, and our team supports you by chat during posted hours. We ship to the US with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping where needed.

This content does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information that comes with your medicine. Product availability, packaging, and manufacturers may vary by supply.

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View All FAQs

What is Januvia and how does it work?
Januvia is the brand name for sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor. It increases incretin hormones, which boost insulin after meals and reduce glucagon. This helps lower fasting and post-meal glucose. It is taken once daily, usually with low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
What is the usual dose of Januvia?
The typical maintenance dose is 100 mg once daily in adults with normal kidney function. Dosing changes are based on eGFR. Many prescriptions are for Januvia 100 mg tablets. People with moderate or severe renal impairment often use 50 mg or 25 mg once daily instead.
How long does Januvia take to start working?
Blood sugar can improve within several days of starting therapy. You may see earlier changes in fasting and post-meal readings. A1C reflects average glucose over time, so most people see the full effect after about three months of steady use, along with diet and exercise.
Can I take Januvia with metformin or insulin?
Sitagliptin is often combined with metformin when one agent is not enough. It can also be used with basal insulin or an SGLT2 inhibitor. When used with insulin or a sulfonylurea, a dose reduction of the other agent may be considered to lower hypoglycemia risk under clinician guidance.
What side effects should I watch for with Januvia?
Common effects include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, and mild stomach upset. Serious effects are less common but include pancreatitis, severe joint pain, blistering skin reactions, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, swelling of the face, or trouble breathing.
How should I store Januvia and travel with it?
Store tablets at 20–25°C in the original container and protect them from moisture. Keep them out of reach of children. When traveling, carry the medicine in your hand luggage with the prescription label. Avoid extreme temperatures such as hot cars or freezing conditions.
Is there a generic for Januvia and how can I save?
Sitagliptin is the generic name for Januvia. Where available, generic sitagliptin may offer a lower price. Buying multiple months at once can reduce the monthly cost. Customers often save 60–80% compared with typical US prices when ordering from a licensed Canadian pharmacy.