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.
