Key takeaways
Januvia (sitagliptin) and Onglyza (saxagliptin) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and belong to the same drug class, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Januvia is a brand-name medication, while Onglyza is only available in its generic form, saxagliptin. The typical dose for Januvia is 100 mg once daily, whereas saxagliptin is taken at 2.5 mg or 5 mg once daily. Both medications can be taken with or without food. Januvia is not known to affect body weight, while saxagliptin has a low potential for causing weight gain. Common side effects of Januvia include runny nose and sore throat, while saxagliptin may cause upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections. Both medications carry risks of serious side effects like pancreatitis and heart failure, but saxagliptin has a noted risk of causing severe joint pain and large blisters.
