Januvia (Sitagliptin) for Diabetes

Overview
Januvia is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Januvia is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise. Januvia is also referred to by its drug name, Sitagliptin.

Januvia is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Januvia is believed to work by lowering blood glucose levels when they are elevated.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Januvia is generally taken once daily with or without food.

Januvia comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Januvia lists common side effects including headache, upper respiratory infection, cold symptoms, and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Rare but serious side effects listed for Januvia include heart failure, kidney failure, fatal pancreatitis, severe joint pain, bullous pemphigoid (a blistering skin condition), and severe systemic allergic reactions.