8 Types of Oral Diabetes Medications and How They Work
Oral diabetes medications help manage blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. Learn the types of oral medications and how they keep glucose levels stable.
Tradjenta
Used for Diabetes Type 2
Used for Diabetes Type 2
Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a medication that helps manage blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the drug class called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, also known as "gliptins." Tradjenta (linagliptin) is taken by mouth once a day. It works best when used with a balanced diet and exercise. The medication can have a few side effects, such as runny nose, sneezing, and diarrhea.
What is Tradjenta (linagliptin)?
What is Tradjenta (linagliptin) used for?
- Type 2 diabetes in adults
How Tradjenta (linagliptin) works
Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a type of diabetes medication called a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It's also known as a "gliptin."
It works by blocking a protein called DPP-4. This helps your body make more insulin when it's needed. It also lowers the amount of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. Together, these actions help control your blood sugar.
When does Tradjenta (linagliptin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Tradjenta |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | DDP-4 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Tradjenta (linagliptin) essentials
Side effects of Tradjenta (linagliptin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Common cold (7%)
- Diarrhea (3%)
- Cough (2%)
Note: Side effects were from people who took Tradjenta (linagliptin) by itself or with other diabetes medications.
Tradjenta (linagliptin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): severe stomach pain that spreads to your back, nausea, vomiting
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; hives; peeling skin; swelling of face, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing
- Severe skin reaction: itchy skin, rash with blisters, sores
The following Tradjenta (linagliptin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
confusion
cool, pale skin
dizziness
fast heartbeat
headache
increased hunger
loss of consciousness
nightmares
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
hives, welts, itching, or skin rash
large, hard skin blisters
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the skin
severe joint pain
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$631.59
Manufacturer exclusive discount
$277.80
Pros and cons of Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Pros
- Taken once a day
- Can take with or without food
- Has little to no effect on weight
Cons
- Might not lower A1C (average blood sugar level) as much as some other diabetes medications
- Not approved for people with Type 1 diabetes
- Might not be the best choice for people with heart failure
Pharmacist tips for Tradjenta (linagliptin)
- You can take Tradjenta (linagliptin) at any time of day, with or without food. It's best to take it at around the same time every day. This helps the medication work consistently for you.
- Swallow Tradjenta (linagliptin) whole. Don't crush, cut in half, or chew the tablet. If you have trouble swallowing it whole, let your prescriber know. They can help come up with other treatment options.
- Ask your prescriber how often to check your blood sugar while taking Tradjenta (linagliptin). Keep a record of your blood sugar readings and share them with your care team. This helps your prescriber decide if your treatment needs any adjustments.
- Talk to your prescriber about drinking alcohol while taking Tradjenta (linagliptin). Alcohol can put you at risk of having low blood sugar. And heavy drinking is especially dangerous. Your prescriber can discuss with you if it's safe to drink alcohol and how much is okay for you.
- Learn how to spot low blood sugar. Signs include sweating, shaking, feeling anxious, or feeling very hungry. If this happens, be sure you know how to treat low blood sugar. Your risk is higher if you take Tradjenta (linagliptin) with insulin or sulfonylureas like glipizide.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you take. Some can make Tradjenta (linagliptin) work less well. These can include rifampin, carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), St. John's wort, and others. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together.
- If you're pregnant: Let your diabetes care team know. It's not known how safe it is to take Tradjenta (linagliptin) while pregnant. Your prescriber can discuss a safe diabetes treatment plan during pregnancy.
- If you plan to breastfeed: Talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Tradjenta (linagliptin). It's not clear how safe it is to breastfeed during treatment. If needed, ask your prescriber or a lactation consultant about safe feeding options.
Risks and warnings for Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Tradjenta (linagliptin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Some people taking Tradjenta (linagliptin) have developed inflammation in their pancreas. This is called pancreatitis. It's not clear if having pancreatitis before can raise your risk that it can happen again during treatment. To be safe, let your prescriber know if you've had pancreatitis in the past.
Stop taking Tradjenta (linagliptin) and get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain that doesn't go away, especially if it spreads to your back. You might also have nausea or vomiting. These can be signs of pancreatitis.
Risk of low blood sugar when taken with certain other diabetes medications
- Risk factors: Also using insulin | Also taking a sulfonylurea like glipizide
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is more likely if you take Tradjenta (linagliptin) with certain other diabetes medications. These mainly are insulin and sulfonylureas like glipizide. Very low blood sugar can be life-threatening.
Be sure you know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Symptoms can include feeling shaky, very hungry, confused, or weak. You also might feel nervous or anxious, have a fast heartbeat, or be sweaty. Talk to your care team if you're worried about having low blood sugar while taking Tradjenta (linagliptin).
Serious allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Allergy to DPP-4 inhibitors (also called "gliptins")
Tradjenta (linagliptin) can cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. This can sometimes be life-threatening. Most times, allergic reactions have happened within the first 3 months of treatment. But it can also happen at any time. Watch out for a rash, peeling or blistering skin, swelling of the face or lips, or trouble breathing. If this happens, stop taking Tradjenta (linagliptin) and get medical care right away.
Tell your prescriber if you've had an allergic reaction to other DPP-4 inhibitors. Examples include Januvia (sitagliptin) or alogliptin (Nesina). It's possible that you might be more likely to have an allergic reaction when you take Tradjenta (linagliptin).
Severe skin reaction
Although rare, some people taking Tradjenta (linagliptin) have developed a skin problem called bullous pemphigoid. It can cause itchy, skin, blistering rash, or sores. These usually go away once you stop taking the medication and get treatment.
If you notice a rash with blisters or itchy skin, talk to a healthcare professional. You might need to stop taking Tradjenta (linagliptin) and see a dermatologist.
Severe joint pain
Some people who've taken Tradjenta (linagliptin) have had severe joint pain. This can happen anytime from a day to many years after starting the medication. For most people, the pain got better after they stop the medication. Let your prescriber know if you feel any discomfort in your joints while taking Tradjenta (linagliptin).
Risk of heart failure
- Risk factors: Heart failure | Heart disease | Kidney problems
It's not known if Tradjenta (linagliptin) has a risk of heart failure. But some similar medications have been linked to this condition in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Before starting Tradjenta (linagliptin), let your prescriber know if you have a history of heart failure or kidney problems. They can help weigh the risk of heart failure and benefits of the medication.
Tell your care team right away if you have any signs of heart failure. This can include trouble breathing, unusual tiredness, swelling in your legs or feet, or sudden weight gain. Depending on your symptoms, your prescriber might tell you to stop Tradjenta (linagliptin) and get medical care.
Tradjenta (linagliptin) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 5mg of Tradjenta (linagliptin) is $277.80 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 56.02% off the average retail price of $631.59. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 30 tablets | $277.80 | $9.26 |
Interactions between Tradjenta (linagliptin) and other drugs
Tradjenta (linagliptin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Tradjenta (linagliptin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Balofloxacin
- Besifloxacin
- Carbamazepine
- Chloroquine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Efavirenz
- Enoxacin
- Enzalutamide
- Fleroxacin
- Flumequine
- Fosphenytoin
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Lanreotide
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Mitotane
- Moxifloxacin
- Nadifloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Oxcarbazepine
- Pasireotide
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Prulifloxacin
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Rufloxacin
- Sparfloxacin
- St John's Wort
- Thioctic Acid
- Tipranavir
- Tosufloxacin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propranolol
- Sotalol
- Timolol
How much does Tradjenta (linagliptin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Tradjenta (brand)
$277.80
What are alternatives to Tradjenta (linagliptin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Tradjenta (linagliptin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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