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Compare Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

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

Key takeaways

Tradjenta (linagliptin) and Glumetza (metformin extended-release) are both prescription medications used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. However, they belong to different medication classes. Tradjenta is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, while Glumetza is a biguanide. Tradjenta is taken as a 5 mg tablet once daily, whereas Glumetza is typically started at 500 mg once daily with the evening meal, and can be increased up to 2,000 mg per day. Tradjenta is only available as a brand-name medication, while Glumetza is available in both brand-name and generic forms. Common side effects of Tradjenta include cold symptoms and diarrhea, while Glumetza can cause diarrhea and nausea. Taking Tradjenta with medications like insulin and sulfonylureas increases the risk of low blood sugar. Glumetza can increase your risk for lactic acidosis, especially if taken with contrast dyes used for some imaging procedures.

  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Metformin er (Glumetza)
  • Tradjenta (linagliptin)
    Metformin er (Glumetza)

  • Summary of Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

    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 Biguanide
    Prescription only

    Metformin ER (Glumetza) is a biguanide. It's used to control blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Metformin ER (Glumetza) is taken by mouth, typically once daily with an evening meal. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include diarrhea and nausea. But metformin ER (Glumetza) is less likely to cause stomach-related side effects than metformin immediate-release (IR) tablets. Metformin ER (Glumetza) is available as both brand-name and generic versions.

  • Indications of Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

    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. Glumetza

    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 Biguanide
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Can take just once a day
    •Might cause less diarrhea than metformin immediate-release
    •Unlikely to cause weight gain, unlike other blood sugar medications
    Cons
    •Can cause lactic acidosis (high acid levels in the blood)
    •Not safe for use in people with moderate-to-severe kidney disease
    •Not approved for people with Type 1 diabetes
    •Tablets must be swallowed whole

  • Common Side Effects of Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

    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

    Please note: These are common side effects of people who took metformin ER (Glumetza) and glyburide together

    •Low blood sugar (dizziness, shaking; 14%)
    •Diarrhea (13%)
    •Nausea (7%)

  • Warnings of Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

    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
    •Lactic acidosis (too much acid in your body)
    •Low vitamin B12 levels
    •Risk of low blood sugar levels

  • Prices with our coupons for Tradjenta vs. Glumetza

    Learn more about Tradjenta
    Learn more about Metformin er

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