Brand-name Tradjenta® is the same as generic linagliptin.
Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where your body does not use insulin properly to lower your blood sugar levels to normal safe levels. This effect is also known as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes today. The American Diabetes Association says that 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Controlling blood glucose levels is important to prevent long term health conditions such as neuropathy, blindness, kidney damage, poor healing, amputation, heart attack and stroke.
What is Tradjenta® and how does it control blood glucose levels?
Tradjenta® is often used alone by patients who cannot use metformin, and for whom diet, and exercise are not enough to control their type 2 diabetes.
Tradjenta® is also used in combination therapy with other medications for type 2 diabetes such as metformin, a sulfonylurea or empagliflozin.
Tradjenta® is not indicated for use in combination with insulin due to a possible risk of cardiovascular adverse effects.
Note: This medication is called Trajenta® in Canada and Tradjenta® in the United States.
They are identical medications.
Tradjenta® is available in pill form and contains the active ingredient linagliptin.
Brand-name Tradjenta® – 5 mg tablets
How does Tradjenta® work?
Prescription Tradjenta® comes in a pill form and is taken once a day. Linagliptin, the active ingredient in Tradjenta®, is a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DDP-4) inhibitor, which stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin when blood sugars are high. It does this by boosting the production of a group of hormones called incretins. Incretin hormones help reduce the amount of glucose by increasing insulin release from the pancreas and decreasing the hormone glucagon. Linagliptin does not work when blood glucose levels are already low.
How do I take Tradjenta®?
Your prescription for Tradjenta® depends on your doctor’s assessment of your medical condition, how you respond to medications, and other medications you may be taking.
Tradjenta® must be taken on a regular basis and should be combined with a healthy living regime, including smart eating and regular physical exercise in order to get the most benefit.
Because this is a medication that affects blood glucose levels, you should monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and report to your doctor if you have any unusual patterns such as too low or too high.
What are the side effects of Tradjenta®?
Many patients using prescription Tradjenta® have little to no side effects. While by itself linagliptin does not usually cause low blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia), when combined with other medications there may be a risk of low blood sugar readings. Speak with your doctor and pharmacist about other side effects that you may experience while taking this medication.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis, gallstones or heart failure.
If you have questions about your prescription medications or any other medication, please contact our team at Canada Online Health by calling toll free 1-800-399-DRUG (3784). One of our patient representatives will be happy to assist you or transfer you to a licensed Canadian pharmacist for a free consultation.
This article contains medical information provided to help you better understand this particular medical condition or process, and may contain information about medication often used as part of a treatment plan prescribed by a doctor. It is not intended to be used as either a diagnosis or recommendation for treatment of your particular medical situation. If you are unwell, concerned about your physical or mental state, or are experiencing symptoms you should speak with your doctor or primary health care provider. If you are in medical distress please contact emergency services (such as 911).
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