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Compare Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

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

Key takeaways

Tradjenta (linagliptin) and glipizide (formerly Glucotrol) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work differently and belong to different drug classes. Tradjenta helps your body produce more insulin and make less sugar by blocking the DPP-4 protein. It’s taken once daily and can be taken with or without food. On the other hand, glipizide lowers blood sugar by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. It’s usually taken once or twice daily with meals to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels. Glipizide is more likely to cause weight gain and has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar than Tradjenta. Both medications can interact with other drugs and have specific side effects, such as joint pain for Tradjenta and the possibility of serious heart problems with glipizide. Tradjenta does not have a generic form, while glipizide is available as a lower-cost generic medication.

  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Glipizide
  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Glipizide

  • Summary of Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    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

    Glipizide is a sulfonylurea medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It lowers blood sugar levels by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. Glipizide is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. Some side effects of this medication include dizziness and diarrhea. Taking glipizide can also put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar, so it's important to take this medication with meals.

  • Indications of Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    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

  • Pros and Cons of Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    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
    •Taken by mouth
    •Extended-release tablets taken once daily
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Need to take with meals or 30 minutes before a meal
    •Can cause some weight gain as a side effect

  • Common Side Effects of Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    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
    •Dizziness (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Nervousness (4%)
    •Tremor (4%)
    •Passing gas (3%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (3%)

    Note: Side effects were reported by people who took glipizide ER (Glucotrol XL) in clinical studies.

  • Warnings of Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    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 levels
    •Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Risk of harm in people with certain stomach problems (extended-release tablets)

  • Prices with our coupons for Tradjenta vs. Glucotrol

    Learn more about Tradjenta
    Learn more about Glipizide

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