Januvia and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Pic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor switched me to Januvia last year because I couldn't get past the side effect of diarrhea from metformin. It didn't change my A1C 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."

• Fay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking metformin, and it worked, lost weight, but gave me severe diarrhea. So I was prescribed JANUVIA. The second day, I had a crick in my neck on my left side. Woke up again, it spread to my right side. Found out it swollen up my lymph nodes. Painful. My body ended up so sore, and I was really tired. Please don't take this medication. I'd rather deal with metformin after this."

• XYD...
• July 28, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "The side effects of 50 mg Januvia with Metformin ER were horrendous. Painful finger joints. Swelling fingers. Stuffy ears. Unbelievable dizziness, which caused nausea and dry heaves. The diarrhea has been so awful that I can't leave home. I stopped the Januvia 4 days ago. The dizziness stopped first. Then my hands settled down. The diarrhea has not stopped. My doctor believes that I have parasites because Januvia, in conjunction with Metformin ER, doesn't cause diarrhea like this. Getting tested tomorrow, and I have to go back on Januvia. Not looking forward to this at all. What a mess."

• Iwd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "My insurance refused to pay for my Oseni, they told my doctor to try Januvia. During the first 7 days, I developed a constant cough, along with upper stomach pain and diarrhea. I stopped the medication, and symptoms ceased. I started back on the meds yesterday, and severe stomach pain returned, along with diarrhea. Stopping this medication for good-it's not good for me, the side effects are too painful."

• cor...
• October 29, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Januvia for about 7 weeks and have had diarrhea the whole time. I'm also on metformin, and between the two, I don't think I've had a solid poop in weeks. However, my blood sugars are down from 25 to under 10 most days. I have gained 15 lbs, and I can't handle the cold this year, always getting chilled. I also have to take mine with food, otherwise, I get an acid stomach all day, no matter what I do. I will be talking to my doctor to see if there are other options or if the benefits outweigh the negatives."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "This drug came after a bad reaction to Metformin. It is definitely not any better. From day one, I have had diarrhea. And the heaviness in my arms is still present. Now, the leg spasms are showing up, but it is the abdominal pain and the excruciating back pain that take this drug out of the running. I am coming off of it. I can't afford for this drug to kill me. Nausea has been a problem within 3 days of beginning it. Be wary...be alert."

• 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."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Terrible drug worked okay the first few weeks, then I began developing the most severe diarrhea and dysentery. I would spend 3 or 4 days glued to the toilet, going through 20 to 30 pairs of underwear (diapers). I was pooping in my sleep in bed. The dysentery went away when I discontinued the pills but came back immediately when I resumed taking them. Became dehydrated, shortness of breath, sweating, dizzy, vomiting, dry heaves, and felt weak. Severe stomach cramps ended up in the ER room with an IV drip of morphine to stop the pain. I almost died."

• Ubu...
• September 7, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Taken for 3 days. I have a cough, respiratory problems, put on inhalers. Diarrhea, savage pain at night that I feel like I will not live until morning. Quit taking it, and reading all the side effects with it, I wonder why this is even prescribed. I hope the side effects go quickly. I can hardly walk and breathe at the same time. Only on 3 days."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm 75, weigh 138, 5'10', A1C 6.2 - 6.7 with 2 mg Glimepiride + 2000 mg Metformin. Dr. switched me to Januvia 100 mg + 2000 mg Metformin. Blood sugar went out of control from day 1. Over 200 daily average (I test 7 times/day). Morning fasting went from 115 to 226. Nine hours of vomiting and diarrhea on the second day. Nauseous every day for two weeks. Lost 5 lbs in two weeks--I need to gain weight. Stopped after day 14. Very bad drug for me. Dr. now wants me to try another miracle drug: Farxiga. Don't think so as I will need a loan just to buy it."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Metformin 1000 mg a day, and I began to have severe diarrhea, but my blood sugar (BS) was under control. My Dr. took me off of Metformin and put me on Januvia 100 mg a day, now my BS has increased. I informed her, and now I’m being prescribed glipizide starting today. So we will see what happens."

• lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "This was a disaster. I had severe diarrhea. Within 3 days, I lost 15 pounds. Unfortunately, this dehydrated my cranky old body badly enough that I nearly fell getting out of bed and was unable to stand. I spent 7 days in a hospital. The next week, I spent fighting two infections that I picked up in the hospital."

• Hor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Januvia 50 mg for a year with Metformin ever since after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 12 years ago. I had no side effects from Januvia during much of that time. It did lower my A1C significantly and reduced my hunger urges. Several months ago, I noticed an increase in diarrhea, and more recently, I have almost daily gas, bloating, and stomach aches that affect my sleep. I cannot account for these symptoms from food, as I gave up carbonated and diet drinks to no effect. I have contacted my doctor to hopefully find an alternative medication such as Jardiance, which may also benefit my congestive heart failure from a heart attack 4 years ago."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 27, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "When used with Metformin, I had stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea. Without Metformin, I now have a constant backache, leg swelling, increased appetite. I was losing weight before, now I am gaining it back while sticking to my diet. My dosage is 100 mg, once daily, and my blood sugar is still not under control."

• den...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 13, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Jardiance: I see Ozempic is related to Jardiance. Jardiance gives me diarrhea, UTI infections, or bladder infections, for which the doctor merely increases my prescription. Jardiance clogs my nose, so I can hardly breathe. Jardiance gives me sensitive skin and sometimes causes a rash-like condition. This is a terrible medication, yet the doctor refuses to take me off it. I take 25 mg of Jardiance once a day. Combined with Jentadueto, I have had no quality of life."