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Compare Tradjenta vs. Actos

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

Key takeaways

Tradjenta (linagliptin) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both oral medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes and work in distinct ways. Tradjenta helps your body produce more insulin and reduce sugar production by blocking the DPP-4 protein. In contrast, Actos improves your body's ability to use insulin, can raise "good" cholesterol levels, and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. Tradjenta is typically taken once daily without regard to meals and is known for causing few side effects, such as runny nose and diarrhea. Actos is also taken once daily and can be taken with or without food. Actos has a higher risk of causing weight gain, fluid build-up, and even bladder cancer, whereas Tradjenta can cause severe joint pain and has a risk of pancreatitis.

  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Pioglitazone (Actos)

  • Summary of Tradjenta vs. Actos

    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.

    Summary for Thiazolidinedione
    Prescription only

    Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. It's a thiazolidinedione, which works by helping your body respond better to insulin. This medication is taken by mouth once a day and is available in both brand and generic forms. Side effects include headache, swelling in the body, and weight gain. There's also a serious warning that it can cause or worsen heart failure.

  • Indications of Tradjenta vs. Actos

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

  • Pros and Cons of Tradjenta vs. Actos

    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
    Pros and Const for Thiazolidinedione
    Pros
    •Only taken once a day
    •Rarely causes dangerously low blood sugar when taken by itself
    •Can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Can cause fluid buildup in the body
    •Not safe for people with moderate to severe heart failure
    •Not a good choice for people with bladder cancer

  • Common Side Effects of Tradjenta vs. Actos

    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.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Swelling (27%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (13%)
    •Headache (9%)
    •Heart failure (8%)
    •Sinus infection (6%)
    •Pain in the arms and legs (6%)

    Side effects above are for pioglitazone (Actos) taken alone. These might differ if it's taken with other medications.

  • Warnings of Tradjenta vs. Actos

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart failure and swelling
    •Low blood sugar (when used with other medications)
    •Liver problems
    •Bladder cancer
    •Risk of bone fractures
    •Eye problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Tradjenta vs. Actos

    Learn more about Tradjenta
    Learn more about Pioglitazone

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