Farxiga Vs. Januvia: Drug Comparison

Farxiga^® (dapagliflozin) is an oral sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. It lowers blood sugar by promoting glucose excretion through the urine. Farxiga is indicated for reducing the risk of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and heart failure hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and urgent heart failure visits in adults with heart failure. It decreases heart failure hospitalization risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Farxiga also aids in improving glycemic control alongside diet and exercise in adults and children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. Common side effects include urinary and genital infections, and it may cause rare but serious conditions like ketoacidosis and dehydration.

Januvia^® (sitagliptin) is an oral medication used to manage type 2 diabetes by inhibiting the enzyme DPP-4, which increases the levels of incretin hormones that stimulate insulin release and reduce sugar production in the liver. Its FDA-approved indication is for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, typically in combination with diet and exercise. Januvia is available in tablet form and is usually taken once daily. Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, headaches, and nausea, while more serious risks include pancreatitis and kidney dysfunction. Caution is advised in patients with kidney impairment or a history of pancreatitis.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is indicated:

• To reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure

• To reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and either established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Januvia (sitagliptin) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets

Most common adverse reactions (5% or greater incidence) were:

• Female genital fungal infections

• Inflammation of the nasal cavities and back of the throat

• Urinary tract infections

Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Januvia and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are:

• Upper respiratory tract infection

• Inflammation of the nose and throat

• Headache

In the add-on to sulfonylurea and add-on to insulin studies, low blood sugar was also more commonly reported in patients treated with Januvia compared to placebo

• History of serious hypersensitivity reaction to dapagliflozin or any of the excipients in Farxiga

• See the Full Prescribing Information for information on drug interactions and interference of Farxiga with laboratory tests

• History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema

• Diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and other ketoacidosis

• Volume depletion

• Urosepsis and pyelonephritis

• Low blood sugar

• Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s gangrene)

• Genital fungal infections

• Pregnancy: Potential risk to a fetus especially during the second and third trimesters

• Lactation: Not recommended when breastfeeding

• Pancreatitis

• Heart failure

• Acute renal failure

• Low blood sugar with concomitant use with insulin or insulin secretagogues

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Severe and disabling joint pain

• Bullous pemphigoid

*This information is from the label for brand name Farxiga^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information.

*This information is from the label for brand name Januvia^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Sitagliptin, the active ingredient in Januvia, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient sitagliptin.