How Januvia works

Sitagliptin is sold under the trade name Januvia.

Sitagliptin, the active ingredient in Januvia, is a medication that may be used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is believed to work by boosting insulin release and lowering glucagon levels by delaying the inactivation of incretin hormones. The intestine continuously secretes incretin hormones throughout the day and in reaction to eating. The enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) quickly deactivates these hormones.

The group of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors includes Januvia. It does not block DDP-8 or DPP-9 and is just selective for DPP-4 (the inhibition of these two enzymes has been associated with severe toxicity).

Januvia works in conjunction with diet and exercise by enhancing your body's own ability to lower. When your body detects high blood sugar levels, Januvia works to significantly lower them. When your body detects a drop in blood sugar, Januvia works less effectively. Januvia is more effective when you need it and less effective when you don't.