Januvia Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

If you have Type 2 diabetes, there are a variety of oral medication options to help keep your blood glucose (sugar) in check. Januvia (sitagliptin) is one of them. It’s a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. But some people refer to this group of medications as “gliptins.”

You may be prescribed Januvia on its own, or in combination with other diabetes medications. It’ll work best when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

So, what’s the typical Januvia dosage? We’ll review what’s usually recommended. But it’s important to follow the instructions you’ve been given if you’re taking Januvia differently.

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What’s the typical Januvia dosage for adults?

Januvia is an oral medication that you take once a day. You can take it any time during the day, with or without food. But as with most medications, it’s best to be consistent and take it around the same time each day. Choose a time of day that fits best with your daily routine and try to stick with that. 

For Type 2 diabetes, the typical Januvia dosage is 100 mg once daily. Some diabetes medications start with a lower dosage, which may be increased based on response or side effects. But this isn’t the case with Januvia. Because it’s well-tolerated, most people take 100 mg daily from the beginning.

Januvia is available as 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets. The lower doses are generally used for people who have kidney problems — more on that below.

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You can also find it in combination with another diabetes medication, metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet), as Janumet and Janumet XR. If you’re taking Januvia and metformin together, a combination pill may be a convenient option.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Your kidneys have an important role in clearing Januvia from your body. If you have kidney problems, it may not be cleared properly. This can increase the risk of side effects, such as headaches, low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), and joint pain are also possible. Kidney damage is rare with Januvia but it has been reported. If this happens, you may be instructed to stop taking Januvia.

Your healthcare provider should assess your kidney function before and during treatment. Depending on how well your kidneys are working, your healthcare provider may have you take a lower Januvia dosage. For example, the recommended dosage for people with moderate kidney impairment is 50 mg daily. If you have severe kidney impairment, the recommended dosage is 25 mg daily.

What happens if you miss a dose of Januvia?

If you accidentally forget a dose of Januvia, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip that one and take the next one that’s scheduled. You shouldn’t double up on doses. 

If you find yourself missing doses frequently, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They may have some suggestions for remembering to take your medication. 

What should you do if you take too much Januvia?

If you take too much Januvia, you may experience worse side effects such as an upset stomach or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). At usual dosages, medications like Januvia aren't known to have high rates of hypoglycemia. But there’s no guarantee if you take more than what’s recommended. And this risk can go up if it’s taken with other diabetes medications.

To be on the safe side, watch for symptoms of low blood glucose such as shaking, nausea, or sweating. If you feel any of these, check your blood glucose. If your blood glucose drops below 70 mg/dL, be sure to follow the directions given to you on managing hypoglycemia. 

If you’re concerned that you have taken too much Januvia, contact your healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How to save on Januvia

There are ways to save on Januvia, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 for Januvia using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs.If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Januvia’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Julie Adkison, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES

Julie Adkison, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, is a clinical pharmacist specializing in ambulatory care practice and diabetes care and education. She has worked in a faculty position in family medicine for many years.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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