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Compare Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

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

Key takeaways

Tradjenta (linagliptin) and glimepiride (Amaryl) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes and work in distinct ways. Tradjenta is a DPP-4 inhibitor that helps your body produce more insulin and reduce sugar production by blocking the DPP-4 protein. It’s taken once daily, with or without food. Common side effects of Tradjenta include runny nose, sneezing, and diarrhea. On the other hand, glimepiride is a sulfonylurea that stimulates your pancreas to release more insulin. It’s also taken once daily but must be taken with the first main meal to prevent low blood sugar. Glimepiride is available as a lower-cost generic, while Tradjenta is only available by brand name. Both medications can interact with alcohol and other drugs, but glimepiride has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar and weight gain compared to Tradjenta.

  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Glimepiride (Amaryl)
  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Glimepiride (Amaryl)

  • Summary of Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    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 Sulfonylurea
    Prescription only

    Glimepiride (Amaryl) is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes along with healthy diet and exercise. It's part of the medication class called sulfonylureas. This medication is taken by mouth, typically once daily with the first main meal. Some common side effects of glimepiride (Amaryl) include headaches and low blood sugar. Like other medications in its class, it can also cause weight gain. Glimepiride (Amaryl) is available as both a brand name (Amaryl) and generic tablet.

  • Indications of Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    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

  • Pros and Cons of Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    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 Sulfonylurea
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Only taken once a day
    •Taken by mouth
    Cons
    •Need to take with the biggest meal of the day
    •More likely to cause weight gain compared to some other medications for diabetes
    •Might cause low blood sugar in breastfed babies and people ages 65 years and older

  • Common Side Effects of Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    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
    •Shakiness, anxiety, and other symptoms of low blood sugar levels (up to 20%)
    •Headache (8%)
    •Fever, cough, and other flu-like symptoms (5%)
    •Nausea (5%)
    •Dizziness (5%)

  • Warnings of Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    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
    •Low blood sugar
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Tradjenta vs. Amaryl

    Learn more about Tradjenta
    Learn more about Glimepiride

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