Jardiance vs. Tradjenta for Diabetes Type 2: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

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)

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Tradjenta

(linagliptin)

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Summary for Jardiance

Prescription only

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a 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.

Indications for Jardiance

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)

Pros and Cons for Jardiance

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

Common Side Effects for Jardiance

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%)

Warnings for Jardiance

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

Summary for Tradjenta

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 for Tradjenta

Improve blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes (as an add-on to a nutritious diet and exercise routine)

Pros and Cons for Tradjenta

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 for Tradjenta

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.