Januvia vs. Glucotrol

• Are Januvia and Glucotrol the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Januvia?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Glucotrol?
• What Is Januvia?
• What Is Glucotrol?
• What Drugs Interact with Januvia?
• What Drugs Interact with Glucotrol?
• How Should Januvia Be Taken?
• How Should Glucotrol Be Taken?

Januvia (sitagliptin) and Glucotrol (glipizide) are oral diabetes medicines for people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Januvia is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications, but is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Side effects of Januvia and Glucotrol that are similar include headache, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

Side effects of Januvia that are different from Glucotrol include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, back pain, joint or muscle pain, or stomach pain.

Side effects of Glucotrol that are different from Januvia include vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight gain, skin changes (skin rash, hives, redness, itching, and blisters), gas, drowsiness, and dizziness.

Januvia may interact with other anti-diabetic medications, digoxin, probenecid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, sulfa drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or beta-blockers.

Glucotrol may interact with alcohol and other drugs.

Common side effects of Januvia include:

• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• headache,
• back pain,
• joint or muscle pain,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea, or
• constipation.

Although Januvia by itself usually does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood sugar may occur if Januvia is prescribed with other anti-diabetic medications. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet.

Common side effects of Glucotrol include:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• headache
• weight gain,
• skin changes (skin rash, hives, redness, itching, and blisters)
• gas
• drowsiness, and
• dizziness

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Glucotrol including easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), tiredness, shortness of breath, upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); pale skin, fever, confusion; or throbbing headache, severe nausea and vomiting, fast or pounding heartbeats, sweating or thirst, or feeling like you might pass out.

Januvia (sitagliptin) is an oral diabetes medicine for people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Januvia is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications, but is not for treating type 1 diabetes. Many people using Januvia do not have serious side effects.

Glucotrol (glipizide) is blood glucose lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class used to help maintain glucose control in type 2 diabetics, in conjunction with an appropriate diet and exercise program. Glucotrol is available as a generic named glipizide.

Januvia may interact with digoxin, probenecid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, sulfa drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or beta-blockers. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. During pregnancy Januvia should be used only when prescribed. Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Your doctor may change your diabetes treatment during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Many drugs may interact with Glucotrol; patients should carefully check glucose levels and inform their doctors about what medications they are taking. There are no adequate and well controlled studies of Glucotrol in pregnant women. Glucotrol (glipizide) should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding women only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and infant.

The recommended dose of Januvia is 100 mg once daily.

Glucotrol is available in 5 and 10 mg strength tablets. The usual starting dose is 5 mg about 30 min before breakfast.