Key takeaways
Alogliptin (Nesina) and sitagliptin (Januvia) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and belong to the same drug class, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. They help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin release and lowering the amount of sugar your body makes. However, there are some differences between the two medications. Alogliptin is typically taken at a dose of 6.25 mg to 25 mg once daily, while sitagliptin is taken at a dose of 25 mg to 100 mg once daily. Alogliptin is available as a lower-cost generic, but sitagliptin is only available as a brand name medication. Alogliptin may cause side effects like headaches and symptoms of the common cold, while sitagliptin can cause a runny nose and sore throat. Both medications can cause joint pain and have risks related to heart failure and pancreatitis.
