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.
