Januvia is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug sitagliptin. It belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Januvia is not available in a generic form.
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Januvia’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Januvia, view this article.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Januvia, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Januvia. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Always follow the dosage of Januvia that your doctor prescribes.
The commonly recommended dosage of Januvia is shown below.
You should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
Januvia’s form and strengths
Januvia comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in three strengths:
- 25 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
Typical recommended dosage
Doctors will prescribe a recommended starting dosage and maximum dosage of Januvia.
Januvia dosage for type 2 diabetes
Januvia’s starting dosage and maximum dosage (per day) are the same. The recommended dosage for treating high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes is as follows.
- Dose: 100 mg
- Frequency: once per day
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Januvia as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Januvia’s dosage.
Is there recommended renal dosing for Januvia?
Yes, Januvia has recommended renal dosing. “Renal dosing” refers to the recommended dosage of a drug in people who have kidney problems. This can include chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Doctors determine renal dosing of drugs using a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test. GFR is a measure of how well your kidneys function.
Your doctor will check your GFR to determine a safe dosage of Januvia for you. For people with moderate or severe kidney problems, a different dosage might be prescribed. That dosage may be lower than the typical recommended dosage.
Your doctor can provide more information about Januvia and renal dosing. You can also check out the “Januvia: Dosage considerations” section below to learn more.
Do doctors prescribe 50-mg doses of Januvia? Does the drug come in 50-mg tablets?
Yes, doctors sometimes prescribe a 50-milligram (mg) dose of Januvia. Januvia does come in 50-mg tablets.
Typically, the 50-mg dose is used for people who have moderate kidney problems. You can check the “Januvia: Dosage considerations” section below to learn more.
Is Januvia ever taken as twice-daily dosing?
In clinical studies, some people received a 50-mg dose of Januvia twice daily along with the medication metformin. However, this particular dosage was not approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Some doctors prescribe this dosage of Januvia off-label. With off-label use, a drug is used in a way other than how it’s approved. However, keep in mind that the approved recommended dosage for Januvia involves once-daily dosing.
Your doctor can provide you with more information on off-label uses of Januvia and twice-daily dosing.
What’s the recommended dosage of Januvia with metformin?
Januvia was used with metformin in some clinical studies. The Januvia dosage used was either 50 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily.
Janumet is a medication that contains sitagliptin, the active drug in Januvia, and metformin. It’s also available in an extended-release (XR) version called Janumet XR. (Extended release means the active drug is slowly released into your body over time after the medication is taken.) Janumet and Janumet XR are available in several strengths.
Your doctor can tell you more about Janumet and other diabetes treatment options.
Your doctor will consider several factors when determining your Januvia dosage. These factors include your age and other medical conditions you have.
Recommended adjustments in dosage
If you have moderate or severe kidney problems, your doctor likely will adjust your Januvia dosage. Typically, they’ll prescribe 50 milligrams (mg) once per day if you have moderate kidney problems.
On the other hand, they’ll likely prescribe 25 mg once per day if you have severe kidney problems. This can include end-stage kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about adjustments in Januvia’s dosage. They can tell you more about dosage adjustments for people with kidney problems.
Januvia comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the tablets by swallowing them whole. Januvia tablets should not be chewed, split, or crushed.
You can take Januvia with food or without it.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to take this form of medication. Also, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about taking your medication.
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If it’s difficult for you to open medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can dispense Januvia in an easy-open container. They also may recommend ways to help make it easier to open the bottles.
If you miss a dose of Januvia, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose of Januvia at a time.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
For some drugs, taking more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not take more Januvia than your doctor prescribes.
What to do if you take too much Januvia
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Januvia’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Januvia that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Januvia dosage without a recommendation from your doctor.
In addition to discussing Januvia with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Januvia. For comprehensive details on Januvia, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Januvia compares with Tradjenta, read this article. For details about how Januvia compares with metformin, see this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Januvia, view this article.
- Details about diabetes. To learn more about type 2 diabetes, which Januvia is used to treat, see this article.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
