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Compare Januvia vs. Glucotrol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Januvia (sitagliptin) and Glucotrol (glipizide) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and belong to different drug classes. Januvia is a a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that helps lower blood sugar by allowing insulin to stay in your body longer and reducing the amount of sugar your body makes. It is typically taken once daily and does not usually affect your weight. On the other hand, Glucotrol is a sulfonylurea that lowers blood sugar by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. It can be taken once or twice daily and may cause weight gain. Glucotrol also has a higher risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar levels, especially if you skip meals. While both medications can be taken with metformin for better blood sugar control, Glucotrol must be taken with meals to prevent low blood sugar. Additionally, Januvia is not recommended for people with certain heart problems, and Glucotrol has a warning for a possible risk of serious heart problems.

  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Glipizide
  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Glipizide

  • Summary of Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Summary for DDP-4 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription medication used along with a healthy diet and exercise to treat Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the drug class dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, also known as gliptins. Januvia (sitagliptin) is taken by mouth, typically once daily. Most people don't experience many side effects from this medication, but possible ones include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and headache.

    Summary for Sulfonylurea
    Prescription only

    Glipizide is a sulfonylurea medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It lowers blood sugar levels by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. Glipizide is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. Some side effects of this medication include dizziness and diarrhea. Taking glipizide can also put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar, so it's important to take this medication with meals.

  • Indications of Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes

  • Pros and Cons of Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Pros and Const for DDP-4 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Only taken once a day
    •Can take with or without food
    •Not known to affect your body weight
    Cons
    •Can cause severe joint pain
    •Not a first choice option for people with Type 2 diabetes and heart problems
    •Might cause sudden kidney injury in people with kidney problems
    Pros and Const for Sulfonylurea
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Extended-release tablets taken once daily
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Need to take with meals or 30 minutes before a meal
    •Can cause some weight gain as a side effect

  • Common Side Effects of Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Runny nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of the common cold (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Nervousness (4%)
    •Tremor (4%)
    •Passing gas (3%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (3%)

    Note: Side effects were reported by people who took glipizide ER (Glucotrol XL) in clinical studies.

  • Warnings of Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Pancreas problems
    •Heart failure
    •Sudden kidney problems
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Joint pain
    •Severe skin reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar levels
    •Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Risk of harm in people with certain stomach problems (extended-release tablets)

  • Prices with our coupons for Januvia vs. Glucotrol

    Learn more about Januvia
    Learn more about Glipizide

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