januvia
Januvia (Sitagliptin Phosphate) is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Sitagliptin Phosphate · by Msd
Available as a generic: Sitagliptin Phosphate
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Sitagliptin Phosphate
- Drug class
- Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Sitagliptin Phosphate EQ 100MG Base · Sitagliptin Phosphate EQ 25MG Base · Sitagliptin Phosphate EQ 50MG Base
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Manufacturer
- Msd
- Half-life
- about 12.4 hours (apparent terminal half-life after a single 100 mg oral dose in healthy volunteers) (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$110.51 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA021995
What is Januvia?
From the FDA label:JANUVIA Tablets contain sitagliptin phosphate, an orally-active inhibitor of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme. Sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate is described chemically as 7-[(3 R )-3-amino-1-oxo-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3- a ]pyrazine phosphate (1:1) monohydrate. The empirical formula is C 16 H 15 F 6 N 5 O•H 3 PO 4 •H 2 O and the molecular weight is 523.32. The structural formula is: Sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate is a white to off-white, crystalline, non-hygroscopic powder. It is soluble in water and N,N-dimethyl formamide; slightly soluble in methanol; very slightly soluble in ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile; and insoluble in isopropanol and isopropyl acetate. Each film-coated tablet of JANUVIA contains 32.13, 64.25, or 128.5 mg of sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate, which is equivalent to 25, 50, or 100 mg, respectively, of free base and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, and propyl gallate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, and yellow iron oxide. image of sitagliptin chemical structure
How to use
The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100 mg once daily. JANUVIA can be taken with or without food. ( 2.1 ) Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with eGFR less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . ( 2.2 ) Dosage Adjustment in Patients with Renal Impairment ( 2.2 ) eGFR greater than or equal to 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 to less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (including patients with end stage renal disease [ESRD] on dialysis) 50 mg once daily 25 mg once daily 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100 mg once daily. JANUVIA can be taken with or without food. 2.2 Recommendations for Use in Renal Impairment Assess renal function prior to initiation of JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. For patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] greater than or equal to 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 to less than 90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , no dosage adjustment for JANUVIA is required. For patients with moderate renal impairment (eGFR greater than or equal to 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 to less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), the dose of JANUVIA is 50 mg once daily. For patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, the dose of JANUVIA is 25 mg once daily. JANUVIA may be administered without regard to the timing of dialysis.
Side effects
The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Acute Renal Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Severe and Disabling Arthralgia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Bullous Pemphigoid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with JANUVIA and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are: upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis and headache. In the add-on to sulfonylurea and add-on to insulin studies, hypoglycemia was also more commonly reported in patients treated with JANUVIA compared to placebo. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In controlled clinical studies as both monotherapy and…
Warnings
Important safety information
Pancreatitis: There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, promptly discontinue JANUVIA. ( 5.1 ) Heart failure : Heart failure has been observed with two other members of the DPP-4 inhibitor class. Consider risks and benefits of JANUVIA in patients who have known risk factors for heart failure. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms. ( 5.2 ) Acute Renal Failure: Has been reported postmarketing, sometimes requiring dialysis. Assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiating JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. ( 5.3 ) Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues: Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue. Lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required. ( 5.4 , 7.1 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions: There have been postmarketing reports of serious allergic and hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Promptly stop JANUVIA, assess for other potential causes, institute appropriate monitoring and treatment. ( 5.5 , 6.2 ) Severe and Disabling Arthralgia: Has been reported in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. Consider as a possible cause for severe joint pain and discontinue drug if appropriate. ( 5.6 ) Bullous Pemphigoid: There have been postmarketing reports requiring hospitalization in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. Tell patients to report development of blisters or erosions. If bullous pemphigoid is suspected, discontinue JANUVIA. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Pancreatitis There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, in patients taking JANUVIA. After initiation of JANUVIA, patients should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, JANUVIA should promptly be discontinued and appropriate management should be initiated. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis while using JANUVIA. 5.2 Heart Failure An association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor treatment and heart failure has been observed in cardiovascular outcomes trials for two other members of the DPP-4 inhibitor class. These trials evaluated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Consider the risks and benefits of JANUVIA prior to initiating treatment in patients at risk for heart failure, such as those with a prior history of heart failure and a history of renal impairment, and observe these patients for signs and symptoms of heart failure during therapy. Advise patients of the characteristic symptoms of heart failure and to immediately report such symptoms. If heart failure develops, evaluate and manage according to current standards of care and consider discontinuation of JANUVIA. 5.3 Acute Renal Failure There have been postmarketing reports of worsening renal function, including acute renal failure, sometimes requiring dialysis. A subset of these reports involved patients with renal impairment, some of whom were prescribed inappropriate doses of sitagliptin. A return to baseline levels of renal impairment has been observed with supportive treatment and discontinuation of potentially causative agents. Consideration can be given to cautiously reinitiating JANUVIA if another etiology is deemed likely to have precipitated the acute worsening of renal function. Assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiating JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. A dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment and in patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. [See Dosage and Administration (2.2) ; Use in Specific Populations (8.6) .] 5.4 Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues When JANUVIA was used in combination with insulin or insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylurea), medications known to cause hypoglycemia, the incidence of hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin. [See Adverse Reactions (6.1) .] Therefore, a lower dose of sulfonylurea or insulin may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. [See Drug Interactions (7.1) .] 5.5 Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA. These reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first 3 months after initiation of treatment with JANUVIA, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue JANUVIA, assess for other potential causes for the event, and institute alternative treatment for diabetes. [See Adverse Reactions (6.2) .] Angioedema has also been reported with other DPP-4 inhibitors. Use caution in a patient with a history of angioedema with another DPP-4 inhibitor because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to angioedema with JANUVIA. 5.6 Severe and Disabling Arthralgia There have been postmarketing reports of severe and disabling arthralgia in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. The time to onset of symptoms following initiation of drug therapy varied from one day to years. Patients experienced relief of symptoms upon discontinuation of the medication. A subset of patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms when restarting the same drug or a different DPP-4 inhibitor. Consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause for severe joint pain and discontinue drug if appropriate. 5.7 Bullous Pemphigoid Postmarketing cases of bullous pemphigoid requiring hospitalization have been reported with DPP-4 inhibitor use. In reported cases, patients typically recovered with topical or systemic immunosuppressive treatment and discontinuation of the DPP-4 inhibitor. Tell patients to report development of blisters or erosions while receiving JANUVIA. If bullous pemphigoid is suspected, JANUVIA should be discontinued and referral to a dermatologist should be considered for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Who should not take Januvia
History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ; Adverse Reactions (6.2) .] History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema ( 5.5 , 6.2 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
In the event of an overdose with JANUVIA, contact the Poison Control Center. In the event of an overdose, it is reasonable to employ supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring (including obtaining an electrocardiogram), and institute supportive therapy as dictated by the patient's clinical status. Sitagliptin is modestly dialyzable. In clinical studies, approximately 13.5% of the dose was removed over a 3- to 4-hour hemodialysis session. Prolonged hemodialysis may be considered if clinically appropriate. It is not known if sitagliptin is dialyzable by peritoneal dialysis.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
7.1 Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin Coadministration of JANUVIA with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may require lower doses of the insulin secretagogue or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.4) .]
How long does Sitagliptin Phosphate stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of sitagliptin phosphate is about 12.4 hours (apparent terminal half-life after a single 100 mg oral dose in healthy volunteers) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the apparent terminal (elimination) half-life the label reports; it does not describe a separate distribution phase. Sitagliptin is not a prodrug and has no active metabolite that outlasts it — metabolism is a minor pathway (about 16% of the dose), and the label states that the six metabolites detected were at trace levels and are not expected to contribute to DPP-4 inhibition. About 79% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine, so the kidneys drive elimination: the label reports an approximately 2-fold higher sitagliptin AUC in moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to under 45 mL/min/1.73 m2) and an approximately 4-fold higher AUC in severe impairment and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, versus healthy controls — the label quantifies these as exposure (AUC) increases rather than restating a longer half-life. Older adults (65 to 80 years) had about 19% higher plasma concentrations than younger subjects, and the label says that once the effect of age on renal function is accounted for, age alone has no clinically meaningful impact on sitagliptin pharmacokinetics. Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh 7 to 9) raised AUC by only about 21% and Cmax by about 13%, which the label calls not clinically meaningful; there is no clinical experience in severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh over 9).
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: JANUVIA (sitagliptin) tablet, film coated — Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, DailyMed SPL, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics.
Drug class
How this class works, per Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) Inhibitors - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Januvia ranks — best-rated dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor for:
Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Januvia treat?
- Januvia (Sitagliptin Phosphate) may be used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Januvia work?
- Januvia is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor. DPP-4 inhibitors block the enzyme that quickly destroys the body's own gut hormones (incretins like GLP-1). With these hormones lasting longer, the pancreas releases more insulin and less glucagon after meals, which lowers blood sugar.
- How much does Januvia cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $110.51 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Januvia?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Januvia. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Januvia?
- Januvia is marketed by Msd. You can see Msd's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Januvia a brand-name or generic drug?
- Januvia is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Sitagliptin Phosphate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Sitagliptin Phosphate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Januvia available over the counter?
- No. Januvia is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Januvia come in?
- Januvia is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Januvia?
- Januvia is classified as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Januvia FDA-registered?
- Januvia is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021995. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Januvia safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Januvia. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Januvia?
- Januvia's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Acute Renal Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin or Insulin Sec… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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