Key takeaways
Tradjenta (linagliptin) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both prescription medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have different forms of administration. Tradjenta is a DPP-4 inhibitor taken orally once a day, while Victoza is a GLP-1 agonist that you inject under the skin daily. Tradjenta helps your body produce more insulin and reduce sugar production by blocking the DPP-4 protein, whereas Victoza works by telling your body to release more insulin, stop sugar release, and slow down digestion. Tradjenta is generally well-tolerated with common side effects like runny nose and diarrhea, but it can cause severe joint pain and increases the risk of pancreatitis. Victoza, on the other hand, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it carries a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Additionally, Victoza can help with weight loss and lower the risk of heart-related problems in certain adults with Type 2 diabetes. While Tradjenta is only available as brand medication, Victoza is available as a lower-cost generic.
