Can you take jardiance and januvia together?
Obesity and being overweight are serious conditions associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Losing even 5–10% of your body weight significantly lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications.
Januvia (sitagliptin) is a DPP‑4 inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet and exercise. It may be prescribed alone or with other diabetes medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin.
In clinical trials, neither weight gain nor weight loss was consistently reported as a side effect. Some patients gained weight, others lost weight, but it’s unclear if sitagliptin caused these changes. One small non‑diabetic study showed a 6.5% weight loss with sitagliptin versus 7.65% with metformin, but larger studies in T2DM have not confirmed a direct effect on weight.
What is Januvia used for?
- Improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes
- Should not be used in type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
- Avoid in patients with severe kidney disease or on dialysis
How does Januvia work?
Sitagliptin inhibits DPP‑4, the enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones. Increased incretins boost insulin release and reduce glucagon secretion, lowering blood glucose levels.
What are the side effects of Januvia?
Common side effects:
- Headache
- Upper respiratory infection symptoms (sore throat, runny/stuffy nose)
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Mouth ulcers
Rare but serious side effects:
- Heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling, sudden weight gain)
- Pancreatitis (persistent nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal or back pain)
- Allergic reactions (hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing)
- Hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas (hunger, sweating, confusion)
- Kidney problems (decreased function or failure requiring dialysis)
- Severe skin reactions (blisters, skin erosion)
- Severe joint pain
What should you tell your healthcare provider before taking Januvia?
- Allergy to sitagliptin or any inactive ingredient
- Severe kidney disease or dialysis
- History of heart failure or pancreatitis
- Alcohol use, gallstones, high triglycerides
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed
What drug interactions are there with Januvia?
- Insulin or sulfonylureas (increased risk of hypoglycemia)
Is loss of appetite a side effect of Januvia?
Loss of appetite is uncommon and may indicate pancreatitis. Seek immediate care if you experience persistent nausea/vomiting, severe pain, or loss of appetite.
Which diabetes medications cause the most weight loss?
- GLP‑1 agonists: Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide)
- Others: Metformin, Symlin (pramlintide), Jardiance (empagliflozin)
How should you store Januvia?
Store at room temperature (68°F – 77°F / 20°C – 25°C). Keep out of reach of children.
Sources
- Januvia (sitagliptin) tablets, for oral use. Merck & Co. Last updated 02/2023. Accessed Apr 14, 2025.
- Januvia (Rx). Medscape. Accessed Apr 14, 2025.