Januvia vs. Jardiance for Diabetes Type 2: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

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.

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Jardiance Vs. Januvia: 6 Differences Between These Diabetes Medications

Januvia

(sitagliptin)

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Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Summary for Januvia

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.

Indications for Januvia

Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Januvia

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

Common Side Effects for Januvia

Runny or stuffy nose and other symptoms of the common cold (5%)

Warnings for Januvia

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

Summary for Jardiance

Prescription only

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a 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 for Jardiance

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 for Jardiance

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 for Jardiance

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 for Jardiance

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