Januvia

Januvia is a prescription drug used to help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The medication works by increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver produces. Common side effects of Januvia include headaches, a sore throat, and upper respiratory infections. The medication comes in the form of a tablet that is taken once a day.

 

What Is Januvia?

Januvia® (sitagliptin) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes).
 
(Click Januvia Uses for more information on what Januvia is used for, including possible off-label uses of the medication.)
 

Who Makes Januvia?

Januvia is made by Merck & Co, Inc.
 

How Does Januvia Work?

Januvia is part of a class of diabetes medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. DPP-4 is an enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones. As a DPP-4 inhibitor, Januvia slows down the breakdown of incretin hormones, increasing the level of these hormones in the body. It is this increase in incretin hormones that is responsible for the beneficial actions of Januvia, including increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of glucose (sugar) that the liver produces.
 
Because incretin hormones are more active in response to higher blood sugar levels (and are less active in response to low blood sugar), the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is low with Januvia.
 

Januvia Effects

There have been several studies conducted on the effects of using Januvia to treat type 2 diabetes.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;