Is Onglyza better than Januvia for Type 2 diabetes?
Onglyza (saxagliptin), a once-daily tablet to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, has been approved by the FDA to compete with the other DPP-4 inhibitor on the U.S. market, Januvia (sitagliptin).
So, is Onglyza or Januvia the better choice for you?
Let’s look at the two drugs along a number of criteria –
Price. Both drugs are priced at approximately $5.72 per pill for common dosages (U.S. wholesale).
Effectiveness. Both drugs improve the body’s ability to lower elevated blood sugar levels and are part of a class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. This is a relatively new class of drugs that can be taken along with older diabetes drugs, such as metformin. The potential advantages for Onglyza are (1) that it’s a smaller pill than Januvia and thus easier to swallow; and (2) that it can be taken as a once-daily combo with metformin, whereas the Janumet combo is taken twice daily.
Side effects. The most common side effects of Onglyza are the headache and runny nose that are also found with Januvia; these result from the inhibition of the immune system these drugs cause.
Safety. There is some concern that Onglyza may increase the risk of “cardiovascular events” for those who already have heart problems. The FDA is requiring Onglyza’s makers to conduct testing to address this issue. General concerns have been expressed about the potential cardiovascular risks of DPP-4 inhibitors, which is one reason similar drugs by Novartis and Takeda are still not available on the U.S. market.
In general, the prescribing information on Onglyza seems to offer no advantages over Januvia. And since the drugmaker has decided to match the price of Januvia, rather than getting in a price war, there’s no financial advantage to picking one over the other, either.
Of course, most physicians like to have more than one drug choice in the same class, because individual patients respond to medications differently. So ask your doctor.
Either way, we’re sure to get saturation TV advertising on Onglyza now that it is FDA-approved. So if you love watching pharmaceutical ads, stay tuned.
Sources: PharmaGossip, Diabetes Update, Fierce Pharma
Tweet
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Show more active. Easier spoken than done? Don ' t pest tangible does not have to stand for two hours at the gym.
May 10th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1986. I had what was described as a “warning” heart attach in 1995.
My blood sugars fall between 8 & 9, VERY seldom higher!
My Endocronologist wants me to begin on Insulin! I am 70 years old! I do not want the “regime” of insulin. My GP DR.
has suggested ONGLYZA, my pharmacist has told me of JANUVIA!
NOTHING has been prescribed by my GP DR. yet. What do I do?
I am on Metformin with Diamicron, as well as Lipitor, Altace and Norvasc (blood pressure).
Any suggestions for lowering bld. sugars and some weight loss with the above mentioned ONGLYZIA or JANUVIA?
I weigh 138 lbs at 5’2″. I cannot afford to go to the gym and do not have a car to get there! I walk a lot! Please help!
Evelyn Shepel – WHAT SHOULD I DO!
June 10th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I am practically identical in age (70), weight (130) and height (5’8″) as you are and was diagnozed with Diabetes II in 1985. I struggled with various medications, without good results, for many years until 2007 when my internal medicine doctor suggested Janumet (januvia 100 mg + metformin 1500) which is what I am on now, I also take 2mg x 2 times a day of Amaryl. My blood sugars are remarkably in control now, with my A1C at 6.7 and my daily BG readings ranging between 80 and 100. I am concerned about the waarnings of side effects relating to the heart relating to Onglyza and therefore have decided to stick with Januvia + metformin, especially since the results have been good. Hope my sharing this information is helpful.
July 1st, 2010 at 6:59 am
I was diagnosed with Diabetes over 20years ago and was placed on Metformin, in April, this year I was put on Diamicron because the Metformin treatment had reduced me to 136lbs and I am 5ft10ins, so am I skinny?
I would like to use either Januvia or Onglyza, just to keep my blood sugar normal.
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
How can you state “there’s no financial advantage to picking one over the other” after also stating that “Both drugs are priced at approximately $5.72 per pill” and that Onglyza is taken once a day and Januvia is taken twice a day. I an no math major but this would appear that drug costs for Onglyza would about half that of Januvia.
August 25th, 2010 at 6:18 am
One tip for controlling diabetes is to keep your diet in balance. Don’t eat a lot of junk food, instead, eat fruits, vegetables, lean cold cuts, oily fish and unsaturated fats. You’ll feel a lot better and there will be a visible difference.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:10 am
I had been on Januvia for a while. I also take metaformin. My blood sugar was doing ok. My doctor decided to have me try Onglyza, so I did. My blood sugars went up higher, therefore, I told the Dr. that I wanted to switch back to Januvia. I believe Januvia works best. At least on me it does!
September 18th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Donald Downin,
Per your post, Januvia is once a day not twice a day.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:02 am
What your doctor prescribed determines how many of each you take. That may be the case for you, and then it would be a great discount for you to choose Onglyza.
October 9th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I don’t know how they price Januvia the same price as Onglyza. My insurance company said I could save around $300.00 each year if my doctor would switch me. Right now I pay out of pocket $60.00 for Januvia and I would pay $35.00 out of pocket for the Onglyza. Not the same price.
October 13th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I HAVE BEEN ON ONGLYZA NOW FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. I AM 66 AND WAS JUST DIAGNOSED IN 2008 WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES. AT FIRST I WAS HAVING SUCCESS BUT NOW I AM BACK TO MY UPS AND DOWNS. VERY FRUSTRATING. I WATCH MY DIET CAREFULLY AND DO SOME EXERCISES BUT I ALSO HAVE COPD. WE ARE NOW TRYING EVERY OTHER DAY WITH ONGLYZA TO SEE IF THAT WILL REGULATE MY GLUCOSE. IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO WEEKS NOW AND I AM HAVING A FAIR SHARE OF REGULATION,BUT STILL PANIC. FOR INSTANCE, THIS MORNINGS READING WAS 118 WHICH IS NOT BAD AFTER BREAKFAST MY READING WAS 215. WITHIN ONE HOUR OF EATING I DROPPED TO 89 SO NOW IM IN A PANIC AGAIN. I AM WONDERING IF IT IS ME OR THE OTHER MEDS TAKEN. I HAVE LOST 80 LBS AND DOWN TO 150 BUT STILL FEEL INSECURE ABOUT THE STEPS I AM TAKING. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO FROM SOMEONE. THANKS