Januvia and Constipation: What Users Say

• blu...
• October 3, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Januvia for about a year and have experienced these side effects: difficulty swallowing, pain in the stomach that radiates to my back, hard time eating because of nausea. I finally had to quit taking it. I was also constipated all the time. Now that I am off Januvia, everything is back to normal."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "Metformin and Glipizide weren't working well enough to keep my blood sugar in control. My doctor added Starlix at meals and that seemed to help some but still didn't produce the desired results. As a last resort to beginning insulin, he prescribed Januvia. Wow! What a difference. My morning readings dropped from the 170s into the 80-90 range within a week or two. Only negative side effect is occasional constipation, but nothing I can't deal with. Have been taking Januvia for about four months and one positive benefit I've noticed is a decrease in cravings or appetite in the evenings (the worst time of the day for me)."

• Lul...
• July 17, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Endo prescribed Januvia along with Farxiga and Metformin 4 months ago. Regular ER Metformin caused horrid gastric distress (diarrhea). Two doses of Januvia and the upper abdominal ache started, constipation, scalp itching, fatigue, and extremely high blood sugars. Now prescribed TEVA manufacturer Metformin instead of the generic brand that costs nothing at certain pharmacies. TEVA doesn't use the same fillers as the other Metformin - I take two with dinner and working to go to four a day with no GI issues. Before Januvia, my sugar was controlled - never going over 180. With Januvia and Farxiga, my readings are in the high 100s, 200+ - I called my endo and told her I had stopped the Januvia (stomach ache is gone). She said to also stop Farxiga since it appears that both drugs are not helping my sugars. I am going back to my routine I had BEFORE Farxiga and Januvia. Those two drugs' cost is $1600 each for three months WITH excellent insurance."

• Leo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "No noticeable difference with Januvia, which was added to Metformin, Glipizide, and now Victoza. I have been taking the first three meds for a few years. My question is that I often see the entire Januvia pill, undigested, in my stool. Why is this? I tend to be constipated but do not take laxatives. I told my doctor, but she did not seem concerned. If this med is just passing through my body, what is the point? I take my Januvia and Glipizide before dinner, and my Metformin before breakfast and my nighttime snack. (I have high morning sugars.)"

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Januvia a week and a half ago - metformin gave me major gastric distress. Januvia has been horrid - upper abdominal ache and constipation. My blood sugars have been very high since starting Januvia. Sugars have never been above 190 until Januvia. I am going back to metformin and deal with the diarrhea. I will let my doctor know what is going on again."

• chu...
• August 27, 2008

For Type 2 Diabetes "Although only taking it for 3 months now, I basically feel a lot better and the sugars are at a moderate level to lower. I do not feel as hungry as I usually do. There have been some problems with constipation, though not bad."