DPP-4 Inhibitor: Januvia, Tradjenta and the Class
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DPP-4 inhibitor

Also called gliptin, DPP4 inhibitor, sitagliptin, linagliptin · Reviewed

Definition: A DPP-4 inhibitor is a class of oral type 2 diabetes drugs that includes sitagliptin (Januvia) and linagliptin (Tradjenta). Their labels approve them, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. The Tradjenta label says it is not recommended in type 1 diabetes.

Warnings on the Januvia label

Januvia has no boxed warning. Section 5 lists:

  • Pancreatitis, including fatal cases, reported after approval;
  • Heart failure, which was linked to two other DPP-4 inhibitors in heart outcome trials;
  • Acute kidney failure, some in people given doses too high for their kidney function;
  • Low blood sugar when added to insulin or a sulfonylurea;
  • Allergic reactions, severe joint pain and bullous pemphigoid, a blistering skin condition.

How it relates to GLP-1 drugs

DPP-4 inhibitors are pills taken by mouth. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic are a separate class, mostly injected. The site has side-by-side label pages for both, and for DPP-4 inhibitors against each other.

Why it matters for your log

The low blood sugar warning depends on what else you take. Keeping all diabetes medicines in one log, with doses and times, makes it easier for a prescriber to see when a combination is behind a low reading. The joint pain warning is also about timing: the Januvia label says it started anywhere from one day to years after starting, eased after stopping, and in some people came back on restarting.

Read more on Dose Track: Januvia side effects · Tradjenta side effects · Januvia vs Tradjenta · Januvia vs Ozempic

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
SGLT2 inhibitorAn SGLT2 inhibitor is a class of oral drugs that includes empagliflozin (Jardiance), dapagliflozin… SulfonylureaA sulfonylurea is an older class of oral type 2 diabetes drugs that includes glimepiride and glipizide… GLP-1 receptor agonistA GLP-1 receptor agonist is a drug that switches on the same receptor as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1),… HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia means low blood glucose (blood sugar). MedlinePlus says that for many people with diabetes… HbA1c (hemoglobin A1C)HbA1c , or A1C, is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.…

Frequently asked questions

Is Januvia a GLP-1 drug?+
No. Januvia is a DPP-4 inhibitor taken by mouth. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic are a separate class.
Does Januvia cause low blood sugar?+
Its label says low blood sugar was more common when it was added to insulin or a sulfonylurea, so a lower dose of those may be needed.

Sources

  1. Januvia (sitagliptin) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  2. Tradjenta (linagliptin) US prescribing information, DailyMed

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