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Compare Metformin vs. Tradjenta

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

Key takeaways

Metformin (Glucophage) and Tradjenta (linagliptin) are both prescription medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar your body makes or absorbs and helps you use your body's natural insulin better. It’s usually taken orally once or twice daily with food to prevent stomach upset. Tradjenta, on the other hand, is a DPP-4 inhibitor that helps your body produce more insulin and make less sugar by blocking a protein called DPP-4. It’s taken orally once daily and can be taken with or without food. Metformin is known for its common side effects like diarrhea and nausea, while Tradjenta's common side effects include runny nose and sneezing. Additionally, metformin is often a first-choice medication for diabetes, while Tradjenta is typically used when other medications are not sufficient to control type 2 diabetes.

  • Metformin
    Tradjenta (linagliptin)
  • Metformin
    Tradjenta (linagliptin)

  • Summary of Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Summary for Biguanide
    Prescription only

    Metformin is a first-choice medication to control your blood sugar and lower your risk of death from diabetes, although some people cannot tolerate the stomach side effects.

    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 Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    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 Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Pros and Const for Biguanide
    Pros
    •Very good at lowering blood sugar and A1c levels
    •One of the few diabetes medications that lowers the risk of death from diabetes-related complications
    •Doesn't cause weight gain
    •Rarely causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Available as a liquid (for those with trouble swallowing) and a long-acting tablet (to help with stomach side effects)
    •The short-acting tablet is cheaper than the long-acting tablet.
    Cons
    •Can cause stomach side effects like diarrhea, nausea, gas, or stomach cramping
    •Usually not a good choice for people with more severe kidney problems
    •Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of a dangerous side effect.
    •The liquid and long-acting tablet can be expensive even though they have generics.
    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 Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea (53%)
    •Nausea or vomiting (26%)
    •Gas (12%)
    •Indigestion (7%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)
    •Headache (6%)
    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 Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Common Side Effects for
    •LACTIC ACIDOSIS
    •LOW VITAMIN B12 LEVELS
    •LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLYCEMIA)
    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

  • Prices with our coupons for Metformin vs. Tradjenta

    Learn more about Metformin
    Learn more about Tradjenta

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