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Compare Januvia vs. Ozempic

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

Key takeaways

Januvia (sitagliptin) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes. Januvia is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, while Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Januvia is taken orally once a day, whereas Ozempic is injected under the skin once a week. Januvia is available in a generic form, but Ozempic only available as a brand-name medication. Common side effects of Januvia include a runny nose and headache, while Ozempic often causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both medications can cause low blood sugar when taken with other diabetes medications. Ozempic also has additional FDA-approved indications for lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, while Januvia does not.

  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)
  • Januvia (sitagliptin)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)

  • Summary of Januvia vs. Ozempic

    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 GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Januvia vs. Ozempic

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults
    Indications for

    Injection:

    •Type 2 diabetes
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
    •Lower the risk of worsening kidney problems and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

    Tablets:

    •Type 2 diabetes
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events

  • Pros and Cons of Januvia vs. Ozempic

    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 GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Only given once per week
    •Might help you lose weight
    •Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes
    •Available as an injection and an oral tablet
    Cons
    •Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    •Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications
    •Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes
    •Interacts with medications taken by mouth

  • Common Side Effects of Januvia vs. Ozempic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Runny or stuffy nose and other symptoms of the common cold (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (16-20%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Vomiting (5-9%)
    •Stomach pain (6-7%)
    •Constipation (3-5%)

    Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection

  • Warnings of Januvia vs. Ozempic

    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
    •Risk of thyroid tumors
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Eye problems
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications
    •Kidney damage
    •Severe stomach problems
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Gallbladder problems
    •Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

  • Prices with our coupons for Januvia vs. Ozempic

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