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Januvia for Diabetes, Type 2 User Reviews

Januvia has an average rating of 4.6 out of 10 from a total of 125 reviews for the treatment of Diabetes, Type 2. 30% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 50% reported a negative experience.

Januvia rating summary

4.6/10 average rating

125 ratings from 138 user reviews.

Compare all 162 medications used in the treatment of Diabetes, Type 2.

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Reviews for Januvia

  • Cloud...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 11, 2019

"My husband began taking Januvia when his A1C tested at 7.2 in February 2016. Although his level dropped to 5.6 and remained stable, he came down with necrotizing pancreatitis on June 2, 2018. He died on June 26, 2018 after spending 22 days suffering in ICU."

1 / 10
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  • Sree
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 22, 2013

"One month before I got newly diagnosed that I am diabetic. My A1C test shows 6.9 and doctor told I have diabetics. He preferred Januvia 100mg (1 time) with metformin 500 mg (2 times). I felt some side effects initially and gone after some days. Now I am doing regular exercise. But if I stop exercise or eat more food, the side effects like stomach problem easily coming back. Now when I am checking my sugar in device, it's showing around 70-80 on fasting and 90-105 two hours after breakfast. But I think my glucose coming down when I miss a meal any time. I can't tolerate it. So I believe, exercise is more important than any medicine. Once I dropped all medicines for ten days and exercised only, it showed normal glucose levels."

10 / 10
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223 Report
  • Tammy
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 6, 2020

"Started taking Januvia with Metformin and BS (blood sugars) normalized. Unfortunately I started having severe joint pain in my shoulders, hands, hips, and back as well as pain in my arm and leg muscles. I’m going to contact my doctor and stop the Januvia. The pain is excruciating!!’"

5 / 10
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98 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Laure...
  • April 9, 2012

"On 100 mg daily for almost 2 yrs and could hardly walk, lay or sit anymore. EXTREME joint pain, increasing monthly. Sent to arthritis doctor and ortho with no relief, only more pills. I researched online and found others with same problem. Took myself off Januvia and joint pain is GONE! I can walk again!"

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  • Stay...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 13, 2020

"My mother died from this medication Januvia, the hospital had no reason they said her brain swelled as if someone bludgened her but no bruising. My boyfriend was on this about a year before I met him. Multiple hospitalizations and the Doctors were trying to figure out how to safely get off? If anyone has safely gotten off PLEASE share your experiences. Anyone with a HEADACHE get OFF NOW. Anyone with pancreas pain get OFF NOW. This medication KILLS. Look into the lawsuit's."

1 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Mitzi
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 4, 2019

"Nov. 5 2019 was giving this medicine and didn't have any problems til 3 weeks later, went to the doctor thought I had strep wasn't getting better stayed sick for weeks, woke up nov. Have hands swollen and throat swollen they ER couldn't figure it out, got worse red and purple spots inflamed taste buds, swollen, all signs of bad side effects from Januvia, this drug need to be reviewed, it could have killed me. Shame on the drug company your business is suppose to help peoples health and not make them so much worse. "

1 / 10
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  • Jane
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 1, 2020

"A1C was 8.2 in December. Was prescribed 100mg daily of Januvia in addition to metformin which I have been on for a few years. By February my A1C was 11.1 and I ended up in the hospital with chest pain and excruciating leg pain. Was taken off Januvia immediately and started feeling better within a couple of days. Still on metformin and now taking insulin. My glucose numbers are back in the normal range and I'm feeling 100% better. I will never take Januvia again!! It's horrible and I will never recommend it to anyone."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • DaveA...
  • May 24, 2017

"For years I was on no drugs for type 2 diabetes, only diet. My a1c test were always around 6.1, and then my dr put me on januvia. My sugars are now averaging 15.7. The dr has just upped my dose to 1-1/2 pills of januvia and added diaformin. WHY?? From good control with no pills to out of control in 4 months. I'm really starting to doubt the doctors motives."

1 / 10
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108 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 6, 2017

"I have been on Januvia for about a year and a half. My AIC went down from 9.0 to 8.0. However, I have developed nausea, dizziness, vomiting which I never know when it will hit. Had colonoscopy and they found nothing. In last six months developed dumbness in my right arm and hand, reflux which keeps me up at night, constant urination about every 45 minutes and fatigue (this has added three more pills to my daily intake for those symptoms). Told my doctor and he said to keep taking Januvia and that I was not getting any younger. However, I read here that others have similar side affects once on Junuvia."

7 / 10
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99 Report
  • Chris...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 15, 2016

"I have had type 2 for about 6 years and used the Metaformin, which with constant usage reduced in its effectiveness. I was told to reduce my Metaformin to 1 per day and take Januvia. I lost 12 KG in 4 weeks, most excellent, and then 2 weeks ago severe pain in my right knee... After many X-rays and MRTs I was diagnosed with Arthritis and told to take pain killers and consider a replacement in the next 10 years.despite both of my doctors knowing that I am diabetic type 2, and both knowing that I take Januvia, they did not inform me of any side effects and so I believed the information and set about studying what I could to to repair the damage..Then I had pain in my Hips, fingers, and cramp in the legs. Googled and found this site..."

9 / 10
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98 Report
  • Picky...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 5, 2019

"My doctor switched me to Januvia last year because I couldn't get past the side effect of diarrhea from metfomin. I It didn't change my AC1 much, but I had zero side effects. 6 months ago I developed "frozen shoulder". The pain in my shoulder is excruciating and I lost mobility in that arm. I went to my doctor twice complaining of this joint pain. She sent me to physical therapy which didn't help. 5 days ago I stopped taking januvia after reading side effects. My shoulder pain is going away. Very disappointed in my doctor."

1 / 10
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  • Zaner...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 14, 2019

"I've been taking Januvia since August 2018. I started itching in about 2 weeks, then started noticing fluid filled bumps where I was itching on backside of my entire body trunk. Went to Dermatologist for 2 months before she finally done 2 biopsies of the bumps since I was miserable itching constantly. Biopsies came back last week showing it was a medication causing these awful effects. She asked about what last medication I had been taking. IT WAS JANUVIA!!"

5 / 10
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  • Happy...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 12, 2012

"I have been on a combination of Januvia and Metformin (called Janumet) for a year. A HUGE difference with everything that was tried for the last 30 years (I am 60 now). The key factor with this is that its operation depends to some extent on the blood sugar level so it does not cause Hypoglycemia! This enables me to be a bit more hungry before a meal compared to what I was used to (always being scared of entering Hypoglycemia and therefore making sure I was never hungry i.e. eating all the time. It has changed my life. My fasting sugar is 100, my HbA1C is now 5.7 (used to be 140 and 7.0 with normal glib ethic type medication). Unbelievable!"

10 / 10
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  • strunk
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 15, 2017

"I took januvia for about 1 year then one day my stomach started to swell up drastically and my wife took me to the hospital when I arrived I could no longer walk and was put in a wheelchair. I was admitted but passed out, when I came to I had 4 I-V's in me and was totally soaked like I had just jumped in a pool. My white blood cell count was over 3,000, off the chart. One nurse accused me of overdosing on street drugs.. I was in the hospital for 3-1/2 days and spent 2 weeks on the couch and 2-3 months having people tell me I looked like I was dying and asked what was wrong. Januvia snuck up on me like a poison snake. It overtook my system in 45 minutes from being with an irritable stomach to knowing I was dying and there was nothing I could do"

5 / 10
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  • perdu...
  • January 12, 2008

"I have been on januvia for three weeks.My blood sugar has been great.What a big change from amaryl! And I've lost 5 lbs in these 3 weeks, a side benifit. Have read a scary blog on this drug though, that causes me to be a bit worried. They mention something called Stevens-Johnson syndrom, some are complaining with really bad joint pain, some with really bad acne, and skin infections. Hope they don't come in a few months from now and recall it like they have others in the past."

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141 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 24, 2017

"Hi I took Januvia for 1 year and 1/2 it was helping me regulate my Diabetes. But I started to have a abnormal pain in my abdomen and didn't know why never though that it was caused because of this medication. one day I had the pain so bad that I couldn't walk or stand, I went to the Hospital got admitted right away because I had Pancreatitis. I got Metformin for my diabetes, for the pain I had a lot of IV's. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days in the 3rd day the doctor told me that the cause of my Pancreatitis was the medication I was taking JANUVIA. I know this works for a lot of people to help them control the sugar like it did for me, but please make sure that you tell your doctor make the necessary test every time you go to see if you are ok internally."

5 / 10
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74 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 1, 2008

"While I was on Januvia it felt like I was on a high power diet pill. I did not go to the bathroom but once in 5 days, had bloating and stomach problems and it felt like my hormones were out of wack. I could not sleep. This is my second day off Januvia and I can't wait to go home and sleep tonight. All of the not sleeping is finally catching up with me. I hope when someone else tells their doctor about this, you don't get the look like I got. Hope this helps someone."

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132 Report
  • fmitc...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 14, 2019

"My original Doctor that diagnosed me with Type 2 Diabetes told me that he saw no results from Januvia. After he retired, my new doctor believes very strongly in Januvia. I have been taking it for over 2 years and see absolutely no results from taking it. In my experience, Januvia is useless."

1 / 10
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  • Bob
  • October 20, 2019

"I'm Type 2 and take 5 mg Glipizide and 2000mg Metformin XR. Blood sugar A/1c range from 6.8 to 7.4. Lower range is when I'm practicing good Keto diet. I've gone from 240lbs to 205 lbs so expect BS to go a bit lower over time. Januvia is not a bad drug, it is just a useless drug IMHO. It actually raised my A/1C a little until I stopped taking it. The side effects for me was runny nose and some chest congestion which was ok if it did anything. Then I did some research which prompted me to stop taking it. I'm not even going into how expensive it was, as if it did anything I'd be happy to take it but it didn't. But lets look at the actual clinical trials. Januvia reduces A/1c by .8 percent or less than 1 percent. What does that actually mean? If you have an A/1C of 7.5 before Januvia, expect 7.44 after taking Januvia. Not impressive at all considering the cost and minor side effects."

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  • Paano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 23, 2019

"Was on metformin 500mg twice a day. Wasn't working so added Januvua 50 mg. Six days ago. Since taking haven't been thinking clearly. Today was worse and right after taking it with my metformin I felt like I was having a heart attack. Neck hurting bad, chest, and heart rate up really bad. Now I'm getting a little better tonight but neck sore and heart burn. I will never take this drug again. I knew it wasn't right from the beginning."

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  • Gabby
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2020

"After a bad case of shingles, my feet were giving me a lot of problems. Felt like I was walking on stones. My dr said my sugar was elevated & prescribed Januvia 50 mg for type 2 diabetes. I had changed my diet drastically. No wheat, pasta, rice, breads, cakes, potatoes, & Counted my carbs, ate more protein , vegetables & fruit. I was on Januvia for one week when I started getting joint & muscle pain very bad. I couldn’t sleep 3 nights in a row because of bad pain in my body. Back pain, shoulders, legs & my feet got worse. I took myself off & called Drs office to tell them my problem with Januvia. It’s now, 2 weeks I’m off it & my pain went away, my feet are back to where they were from nerve problems from shingles. I don’t want to go on another med until I get blood work in 2 weeks just to see if my drastic diet change has changed my readings I’ll never go on Januvia again."

2 / 10
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  • Payton
  • January 25, 2008

"I have been on Januvia for almost a month. My blood sugars run in the 90's, but my appetite has increased and I crave sweets. I have gained 4 pounds and am experiencing all over joint pains and muscle aches. "

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  • Veter...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 29, 2016

"My A1c was 13.9 and I was Prescribed Januvia 100mg Tab 34 Days ago & my A1c is now a 9.6. I have noticed a Change of my Health since starting Januvia. I'm experiencing Severe Painful Muscle Spasms to both Legs to Feet, Numbness to Right Arm & Hand, Slight Abdominal Pains, Urination is every 5 Minutes and Bowel Movements are 3 Times/Day & a Slight Pain in Lower Back is Constant. Typing the Keyboard on my Laptop is a Challenge because both Hands and Arms are shaking, 2 hrs to type this Review correctly is a Challenge. Only 34 Januvia Pills later I'm feeling these affects that were not Normal 34 Days ago. My Blood Pressure Meds have been Raised from 10mg to 30mg after 15yrs on 10mg Dosage. Doc said, Keep taking Januvia, Have to get A1c to a 5."

4 / 10
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  • bluel...
  • October 3, 2011

"I have been taking Januvia for about a year and have experienced these side effects, difficulty swallowing, pain in stomach that radiates to my back, hard time eating because of nausea. I finally had to quit taking it. Also was constipated all the time. Now that I am off of Januvia everything is back to normal."

7 / 10
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101 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 6, 2009

"Since starting taking Januvia, I have been throwing up almost every morning. The stomach acid is so strong and now my throat is raw. My stomach constantly churns and very nauseous. Since taking this medicine, I have heartburn and indigestion My sleeping habits have changed, because of the constant stomach churning and it has been keeping me up. I got tired of being sick everyday. This is no way to live and try to enjoy life. I have quit taking Januvia and now I feel "normal". My regular sleeping habits return, and stomach feels fine."

1 / 10
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112 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.