Sitagliptin
Also known as: Januvia
What it's for
Sitagliptin helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing insulin when blood sugar is high and reducing sugar made by your liver.
Comes as: Tablets
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 100mg once a day.
- Take at the same time each day.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Often used with metformin.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat)
- Stomach upset
- Joint pain
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Low risk of causing low blood sugar on its own
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems - dose may need adjusting
- Rarely can cause pancreatitis - report severe stomach pain
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have severe stomach pain that spreads to your back
- You have persistent vomiting
- You have signs of an allergic reaction
- You have severe joint pain
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.