Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, in combination with exercise and a balanced diet.

Januvia is available as a generic medication called sitagliptin. Sitagliptin is the active drug in Januvia. It’s a type of drug called a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor.

For information about the dosage of Januvia, including its form, strengths, and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Januvia, see this article.

This article describes typical dosing guidelines for Januvia provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Januvia, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Keep reading to learn more about common dosages of Januvia, including Januvia’s starting dose, maximum dose, and dosage range.

Januvia form

Januvia comes as tablets that you swallow.

Januvia strengths

Januvia tablets are available in the following strengths:

  • 25 milligrams (mg)
  • 50 mg
  • 100 mg

Typical dosages

The following information describes Januvia doses that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For treating type 2 diabetes

The recommended dosage of Januvia for treating type 2 diabetes is 100 mg once daily. 100 mg is also the maximum dose of Januvia, so your dosage won’t be increased.

Januvia should be used in combination with exercise and a balanced diet.

Note: People with kidney problems may need a lower dosage of Januvia than usual. See the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below for details.

Long-term use

Januvia is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Januvia is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Keep reading for some answers to commonly asked questions about Januvia.

What are typical dosages for each strength of Januvia (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)?

Regardless of the strength, Januvia’s recommended dosage is 100 milligrams (mg) per day. This may be taken as 25-mg or 50-mg tablets, or a 100-mg tablet.

If you have questions about how to take Januvia depending on which strength of the drug you’re prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Januvia’s side effects vary by dosage?

This isn’t known. Clinical trials of Januvia didn’t look at whether side effects varied by dosage. Side effects were only studied in people taking 100 mg of Januvia per day, which is the typical recommended dosage.

For more information on side effects of Januvia, check out this article.

How will my Januvia dosage be affected if I take it with metformin?

Your Januvia dosage won’t be affected if you take it with metformin. It’s safe to take metformin and Januvia together. These medications aren’t known to interact.

If you have questions about using Januvia and metformin together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide more information about how this drug may fit with your diabetes treatment plan.

Note: Januvia contains the active drug sitagliptin. The diabetes drugs Janumet and Janumet XR contain both sitagliptin and metformin. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about these drugs.

The Januvia dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on other medical conditions you may have.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may decrease your Januvia dosage if you have renal (kidney-related) problems.

Depending on your kidney function, your adjusted dosage may be either 25 milligrams (mg) or 50 mg, once per day. If you have end stage renal disease or if you’re having dialysis treatment, you can typically take 25 mg of Januvia per day.

Your kidney function may be tested before you start Januvia treatment, to determine whether you’ll need an adjusted dosage. This is typically more common among older adults.

Rarely, Januvia can cause kidney problems. While you’re taking Januvia, your doctor will likely monitor your kidney function for any problems caused by the medication.

Januvia comes as tablets that you swallow. They may be taken with or without food, and at any time of day.

Be sure to check your blood sugar according to your doctor’s instructions while taking Januvia. Your doctor may recommend checking your blood sugar before you take Januvia.

If you miss a dose of Januvia, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day and nearly time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regularly scheduled dose. You should not take two tablets to make up for the missed dose. This can increase your risk for side effects from Januvia.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.

It’s important that you don’t use more Januvia than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Januvia

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Januvia. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Januvia for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Januvia without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Januvia that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Januvia. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.