Januvia vs. Amaryl

Are Januvia and Amaryl the Same Thing?

Januvia (sitagliptin) and Amaryl (glimepiride) are oral diabetes medicines for people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Both Januvia and Amaryl are sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications.

Side effects of Januvia and Amaryl that are similar include headache, nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea.

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

Side effects of Amaryl that are different from Januvia include upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, itching, or skin rash.

Both Januvia and Amaryl may interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or beta-blockers.

Januvia may also interact with other anti-diabetic medications, digoxin, probenecid, or sulfa drugs.

Amaryl may also interact with isoniazid, diuretics (water pills), steroids, phenothiazines, thyroid medicines, birth control pills and other hormones, seizure medicines, diet pills, medicines to treat asthma, cold or allergy medicines, clarithromycin, disopyramide, fluoxetine, antibiotics, blood thinners, sulfa drugs, albuterol, clonidine, or reserpine.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Januvia?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Amaryl?

Common side effects of Amaryl include:

  • nausea,
  • upset stomach,
  • stomach pain,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • dizziness,
  • headache,
  • tiredness,
  • increased skin sensitivity to sunlight,
  • itching, or
  • skin rash.

Amaryl can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet.

QUESTION

______________ is another term for type 2 diabetes. See Answer

What Is Januvia?

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.

What Is Amaryl?

Amaryl (glimepiride) is an oral diabetes medicine used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Insulin or other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with Amaryl if needed.

What Drugs Interact With Januvia?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Amaryl?

Amaryl with drugs that raise blood sugar, such as: isoniazid, diuretics (water pills), steroids, phenothiazines, thyroid medicine, birth control pills and other hormones, seizure medicines, and diet pills, or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may result if you take Amaryl with drugs that lower blood sugar, such as: clarithromycin, disopyramide, fluoxetine, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, blood thinners, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or sulfa drugs. It may also interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, or beta-blockers. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

SLIDESHOW

Type 2 Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments See Slideshow

How Should Januvia Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Januvia is 100 mg once daily.

How Should Amaryl Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Amaryl is 1 mg or 2 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg once daily.

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References

Merck. Januvia Product Information.
https://www.januvia.com
Sanofi Aventis. Amaryl Product Information.
http://products.sanofi.us/amaryl/amaryl.pdf

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