Key takeaways
Januvia (sitagliptin) and Amaryl (glimepiride) are both medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes and work in different ways. Januvia is a DPP-4 inhibitor that helps increase insulin levels and decrease sugar production in your body, while Amaryl is a sulfonylurea that stimulates your pancreas to release more insulin. Januvia is typically taken once daily and does not usually affect body weight, whereas Amaryl is also taken once daily but with your first main meal and can cause weight gain. Common side effects of Januvia include runny nose and sore throat, while Amaryl can cause low blood sugar and headaches. Additionally, Januvia is not known to cause severe low blood sugar as often as Amaryl. Both medications are available by prescription only, but Amaryl is available in a generic form, which can be more cost-effective.
