Overview

Janumet, an oral type 2 diabetes medicine, does not usually lead to weight gain, and may cause a slight weight loss. Janumet contains sitagliptin, a member of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor drug class, and metformin, a biguanide. In clinical studies, when metformin was used alone or with sitagliptin, it led to a small but similar weight loss in most patients.

• In 24-week studies evaluating the use of metformin alone or with sitagliptin, a weight loss of 0.6 kg to 1.3 kg (1.3 lb to 2.9 lb) was seen when metformin was used alone, compared to a similar weight loss of 0.6 kg to 1.3 kg (1.3 lb to 2.9 lb) for metformin plus sitagliptin.
• Metformin is often the initial drug treatment prescribed for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. DPP-4 inhibitors may be used as add-on drug therapy for patients who are inadequately controlled on metformin.

Can I use Janumet for weight loss?

Janumet, when used with diet and exercise, is approved by the FDA for blood sugar control in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not approved to be used for weight loss.

However, maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of taking care of your diabetes. If weight is a concern for you, speak to your doctor about type 2 diabetes drug treatments that may promote weight loss as well as help control your blood sugar.

Which diabetes medicines cause weight gain?

Examples of type 2 diabetes medicines that are associated with weight gain include:

• Insulin analogs
• Meglitinides (“glinides”): nateglinide (Starlix) and repaglinide (Prandin)
• Sulfonylureas: glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase PresTab), glimepiride (Amaryl)
• Thiazolidinediones (TZDs or “glitazones”): pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia)

Which diabetes medicines are best for weight loss?

Examples of type 2 diabetes medicines that are associated with weight loss include:

• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset)
• Amylin analogs: pramlintide (Symlin)
• Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists (“incretin mimetics”): dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide (Bydureon), exenatide (Byetta), semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus), liraglutide (Victoza), lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
• Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors: canagliflozin (Invokana), ertugliflozin (Steglatro), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), empagliflozin (Jardiance).

Type 2 diabetes medicines that tend to be weight neutral, not increasing or decreasing weight substantially, include:

• Metformin
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset)
• Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza), alogliptin (Nesina)

Liraglutide (Saxenda) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are approved for the treatment of weight loss in people who don't have diabetes.

This is not all the information you need to know about Janumet (metformin and sitagliptin) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full Janumet information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.