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Compare Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Tradjenta (linagliptin) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that helps lower blood sugar by causing your body to get rid of excess sugar through urine. It also has benefits for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Tradjenta, on the other hand, is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that helps your body produce more insulin and make less sugar by blocking the DPP-4 protein. Jardiance is taken once daily in the morning, while Tradjenta can be taken any time of day, with or without food. Jardiance is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected after 2025, whereas Tradjenta does not have a generic form available. Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Tradjenta may cause runny nose, sneezing, and diarrhea. Additionally, Jardiance can lead to weight loss, whereas Tradjenta does not typically affect weight.

Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Summary of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta
Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
Prescription only
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name medication that's used along with a nutritious diet and routine exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the chance of serious complications, hospitalization, and death in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to the drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and weight loss.
Summary for DDP-4 inhibitor
Prescription only
Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a prescription medication that's used along with a balanced diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It's a type of diabetes medication called a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. The dose is 5 mg (1 tablet) that's taken by mouth once per day. Tradjenta (linagliptin) doesn't cause many side effects but can sometimes include runny nose, sneezing, and diarrhea. As of 2024, Tradjenta (linagliptin) is available as a brand-name medication only; there's no generic version yet.
Indications of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta
Indications for

•Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older

•Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

•Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure

•Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Indications for

•Improve blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes (as an add-on to a nutritious diet and exercise routine)
Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta
Pros and Const for SGLT2 inhibitor
Pros

•Taken by mouth once a day

•Unlikely to cause weight gain

•Can take with other diabetes medications

Cons

•Raises risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections

•Might make you urinate more

•Not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Pros and Const for DDP-4 inhibitor
Pros

•Only taken once a day

•Can take with or without food

•Has little to no effect on weight

Cons

•Not approved for people with Type 1 diabetes

•Lowers A1C (average blood sugar level over a 3-month period) by less than 1%

•Not approved for protecting the heart or kidneys
Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta
Common Side Effects for

•Urinary tract infection (UTI; 8-9%)

•Vaginal yeast infection in females (5-6%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)

•High cholesterol or fat levels (3-4%)

•Urinating more than usual (3%)

Common Side Effects for

•Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, coughing; 7%)

•Diarrhea (3%)

•Cough (2%)

Note: Side effects were reported by people who took Tradjenta (linagliptin) by itself or people who took Tradjenta (linagliptin) with other diabetes.
Warnings of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta
Common Side Effects for

•Ketoacidosis

•Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)

•Genital and urinary tract infections

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications

•Leg and foot amputations

•Allergic reactions

Common Side Effects for

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Risk for low blood sugar when taken with certain other diabetes medications

•Heart failure

•Severe joint pain

•Serious allergic reactions

•Severe skin reaction
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Compare Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Key takeaways

Summary of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Indications of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Warnings of Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

Prices with our coupons for Jardiance vs. Tradjenta

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