Generic Januvia (sitagliptin): available since May 2026
Generic sitagliptin, the same medicine as Januvia, reached US pharmacies in late May 2026, with generic Janumet alongside it and generic Janumet XR in July. Here is what changed, how the generic compares with the brand, why Zituvio is a different product, and how to make sure you get the generic.
Updated October 4, 2026
What happened
- May 2026Januvia and Janumet lost US market exclusivity under Merck’s patent settlements; Sandoz announced its generic sitagliptin on May 26.
- June 2026Apotex launched generic sitagliptin in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg, rated AB, or therapeutically equivalent, to Januvia.
- July 2026Janumet XR lost exclusivity, and the first generic Janumet XR was announced on July 24.
- January 2026Medicare’s negotiated price for Januvia took effect in Part D.
What happened
Januvia is Merck’s brand of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor taken once a day for type 2 diabetes; Janumet combines it with metformin. Merck settled patent challenges with generic makers so that generic Januvia and Janumet could launch in May 2026 and generic Janumet XR by July 2026, and its own filings confirm the brands lost US exclusivity on that timetable. Generic sitagliptin is now made by several companies, including Sandoz, Apotex and Teva.
Many pages still say no generic exists or give dates in late 2026 or 2027, based on patent expiry dates. The settlements allowed generics to launch earlier, which is what happened.
Is generic sitagliptin the same as Januvia?
Yes. The generics rated AB in the FDA’s Orange Book are therapeutically equivalent to Januvia: the same active ingredient in the same strengths, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg, and the same way of taking it. They can look different and contain different inactive ingredients, which matters only if you are allergic to one of them.
Zituvio is a different product
Zituvio, approved in 2023, also contains sitagliptin, but in a different chemical form from Januvia, approved through a different pathway. It is not rated as a generic equivalent, so a pharmacist cannot automatically swap it for Januvia or for generic sitagliptin; it needs a prescription written for Zituvio. Before the true generics arrived, it was a lower-cost option some prescribers used, and it remains a separate choice to discuss with your prescriber.
How to get the generic
A prescription written for Januvia can usually be filled with generic sitagliptin unless your prescriber has indicated the brand is required, and the same applies to Janumet and Janumet XR. Ask the pharmacy which version it will dispense, and if your prescription requires the brand, ask your prescriber whether substitution is acceptable.
With insurance, check your plan’s price for both versions, since some plans keep the brand on a lower tier for a while after a generic launches. Without insurance, cash prices for new generics vary widely between pharmacies and usually fall as more makers compete, so comparing quotes is worthwhile.
If you have Medicare
Januvia was among the first ten drugs with a Medicare negotiated price, in effect since January 2026, and Part D plans may also cover generic sitagliptin. Compare plans in the Medicare Plan Finder during open enrollment, from October 15 to December 7, and remember that covered drugs cost nothing once you reach the annual out-of-pocket cap.
The rest of the DPP-4 class
Linagliptin (Tradjenta) remains brand-only, so sitagliptin is now the lower-cost way into the class for many people. Switching between medicines is a decision for your prescriber; our drug-class guide compares the options.
What to do
- Ask your pharmacy whether it will dispense generic sitagliptin for your Januvia, Janumet or Janumet XR prescription.
- If your prescription requires the brand, ask your prescriber whether substitution is acceptable.
- Do not expect Zituvio to be substituted automatically; it needs its own prescription.
- Paying cash, compare quotes from several pharmacies; launch prices vary widely.
- With Medicare, compare plans during open enrollment from October 15 to December 7.
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Related
Sources
- Merck & Co., Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 (SEC)
- Drugs.com, generic Januvia availability and marketing start dates
- FDA Orange Book, approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations
- CMS, Medicare drug price negotiation
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the reporting and official sources above, as of October 4, 2026. Policies and prices in this area change often; check the linked sources for the latest.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.