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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)

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Ozempic

(semaglutide)

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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

Pros and Cons for Januvia

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Januvia

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 Ozempic

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 for Ozempic

Injection:

Tablets:

Pros and Cons for Ozempic

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 for Ozempic

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

Warnings for Ozempic

  • 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

Price Card Drug Icon
Januvia90 tablets / 100mg
$976.41$1,250.48
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Ozempic30 tablets / 1.5mg
$149.00$1,211.99
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