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Compare Januvia vs. Jardiance

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

Key takeaways

Januvia (sitagliptin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and belong to different drug classes. Januvia is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that helps increase insulin levels and reduce sugar production in your body, while Jardiance is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps your kidneys remove excess sugar through urine. Januvia is typically taken once daily and doesn't affect body weight, whereas Jardiance can cause some weight loss and is also taken once daily. Jardiance has additional benefits for heart failure and chronic kidney disease, which Januvia does not. However, Jardiance can increase the risk of urinary tract and yeast infections, while Januvia may cause severe joint pain and has a rare risk of pancreatitis. Currently, Januvia is available only as a brand-name medication, but generic versions of Jardiance are expected to be available after 2025.

drug combination

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  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Jardiance (empagliflozin)
  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Jardiance (empagliflozin)

  • Summary of Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Summary for DDP-4 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription medication that helps lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It works best when you also follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly. It belongs to the drug class called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, or gliptins. Januvia (sitagliptin) comes as a tablet you take by mouth once a day. Side effects include stuffy or runny nose and headache. Januvia (sitagliptin) is a brand-name medication only; the generic version isn't available yet.

    Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name medication that's used along with a nutritious diet and routine exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the chance of serious complications, hospitalization, and death in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to the drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and weight loss.

  • Indications of Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older
    •Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
    •Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure
    •Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

  • Pros and Cons of Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Pros and Const for DDP-4 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Taken once a day
    •Not likely to affect your body weight
    Cons
    •Not for people with Type 1 diabetes
    •Possible risk of severe joint pain
    Pros and Const for SGLT2 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once a day
    •Unlikely to cause weight gain
    •Can take with other diabetes medications
    Cons
    •Raises risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections
    •Might make you urinate more
    •Not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

  • Common Side Effects of Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Common Side Effects for
    •Runny or stuffy nose and other symptoms of the common cold (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Urinary tract infection (UTI; 8-9%)
    •Vaginal yeast infection in females (5-6%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)
    •High cholesterol or fat levels (3-4%)
    •Urinating more than usual (3%)

  • Warnings of Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Common Side Effects for
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Risk of heart failure
    •Sudden kidney problems
    •Low blood sugar when taken with other diabetes medications
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Joint pain
    •Severe skin reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Ketoacidosis
    •Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)
    •Genital and urinary tract infections
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications
    •Leg and foot amputations
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Januvia vs. Jardiance

    Learn more about Januvia
    Learn more about Jardiance

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