What is Januvia?
Januvia, which is also known as sitagliptin, is a diabetes drug that is used to reduce high amounts of blood sugar in type 2 diabetic people. Sitagliptin belongs to a class of diabetes medicines known as DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 inhibitors such as Januvia work by blocking the action of an enzyme called DPP-4, which is responsible for destroying incretin hormones. Incretin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and reducing how much glucose the liver produces. Januvia comes in tablet form that is supposed to be taken orally together with meals or without.
What is Janumet?
Janumet is a combination prescription medicine that contains both sitagliptin and metformin. Both metformin and sitagliptin are oral diabetes drugs that help in reducing high amounts of blood glucose. The sitagliptin that is contained in this prescription drug works by increasing the amount of incretin hormones and reducing the amount of glucose that is produced by your liver. Metformin works by improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Janumet is commonly prescribed with a healthy diet and proper exercise program to regulate blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic people.
Similarities and differences between Januvia and Janumet
Similarities
Both Januvia and Janumet are oral diabetes medicines that are used to treat patients who have type 2 diabetes. Both medications can be used alone or together with other diabetes drugs to control high amounts of blood sugar. However, these drugs should not be used to treat people who have type 1 diabetes. Another similarity is that both medications are available as brand drugs only.
Differences
Whereas Januvia is a single prescription drug that has sitagliptin, Janumet is a combination prescription drug that contains both metformin and sitagliptin. Another difference is that Januvia should be taken once per day with food or without. On the other hand, Janumet is supposed to be taken with meals once or twice per day. Janumet is available as both a pill and an extended-release pill. On the other hand, Januvia is only available as a pill. When it comes to side effects, Janumet may cause upset stomach and can increase the risk of pancreas inflammation. Januvia may cause frequent cold-like symptoms.
Doctor’s Recommendation
Metformin is generally regarded as the best first-line medicine due to many of its benefits and low risks. The only reason to take Janumet would be to receive additional glycemic control. Because Janumet is more expensive than metformin and sitagliptin separately, patients who do not have good health insurance should buy the 2 medicines separately and take them together.
