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.
