Sitagliptin

2 medicines

Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes with a low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone, though it carries a rare risk of pancreatitis that needs urgent attention if severe abdominal pain occurs.

Istamet

Sitagliptin, Metformin

50/1000mg

Istamet is a diabetes medication containing Sitagliptin + Metformin, available as 50/1000mg tablets.

from $5.49 / tablet View

Januvia

Sitagliptin

50/100mg

Januvia is a diabetes medication containing Sitagliptin, available as 50/100mg tablets.

from $3.04 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Sitagliptin (sold as Januvia, and combined with metformin as Janumet) is a DPP-4 inhibitor. It boosts your body's own incretin hormones, which increase insulin release after meals and reduce the liver's glucose output.
  • You take it once daily, with or without food, and it's often combined with metformin or other diabetes medicines.
  • Used on its own, sitagliptin has a low risk of causing hypoglycemia, since it only boosts insulin release when blood sugar is already high. Rarely, it can cause pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain that spreads to the back, especially if it comes with nausea and vomiting.

What sitagliptin treats

Sitagliptin lowers blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, usually alongside diet and exercise, and often together with metformin or another diabetes medicine when one drug alone isn't enough. It does not treat type 1 diabetes.

How sitagliptin works

Normally, an enzyme called DPP-4 quickly breaks down incretin hormones released by your gut after eating. Sitagliptin blocks DPP-4, so these hormones last longer, increasing insulin release when blood sugar is high and reducing the amount of glucose the liver puts out. This gives a smoother rise and fall in blood sugar after meals.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber if you've ever had pancreatitis, since sitagliptin is generally avoided in that case.
  • Kidney impairment requires a lower dose, so your prescriber will check your kidney function before starting and periodically afterward.
  • Combining sitagliptin with insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the risk of hypoglycemia, and one of those doses may need lowering.
  • Tell your prescriber about any history of allergic reaction to sitagliptin or another DPP-4 inhibitor.

Side effects

Common effects include headache, nausea, upper respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, and mild diarrhea or stomach discomfort.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe abdominal pain that spreads to the back, with or without vomiting, which can signal pancreatitis.
  • Swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
  • Joint pain that is severe and starts suddenly.
  • Sudden decrease in urine output or swelling in the legs.

Safety essentials

  • Sitagliptin alone carries a low hypoglycemia risk, but that risk rises when it's combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea; watch for shakiness, sweating, or confusion in that case.
  • Treat sudden, severe abdominal pain as an emergency and get it checked for pancreatitis rather than waiting to see if it passes.
  • Your kidney function is usually checked before starting and from time to time afterward, since the dose depends on how well your kidneys work.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.