Tradjenta

Introduction

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on July 17, 2023

Tradjenta (TRAD gen ta) is a brand-name medication prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes in adults. Tradjenta belongs to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 blockers.

Side effects of Tradjenta

Tradjenta may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Tradjenta and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Tradjenta’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Tradjenta listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Tradjenta are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Tradjenta’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Tradjenta listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Tradjenta oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• runny or stuffy nose
• cough
• sore throat
• diarrhea
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Tradjenta” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Tradjenta are listed below.  

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Tradjenta’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Tradjenta listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Tradjenta’s serious side effects include:

• low blood sugar
• severe pain in your joints
• pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas)
• a skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Tradjenta” section.

Common questions about Tradjenta

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Tradjenta.

Can Tradjenta cause kidney-related side effects?

No, Tradjenta isn’t expected to cause kidney-related side effects. Kidney-related side effects weren’t reported in studies of the drug.

Over time, high blood sugar caused by diabetes can cause kidney damage. So managing blood sugar with medications such as Tradjenta can help prevent diabetes-related kidney problems.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your kidney health. This includes whether medications you take could affect your kidneys.

Is Tradjenta a type of insulin?

No, Tradjenta isn’t a type of insulin.

Tradjenta belongs to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 blockers. Check out the question just below to learn how Tradjenta works to lower blood sugar.

Unlike insulin drugs, which are given as an injection under your skin, Tradjenta comes as a tablet you swallow.

Sometimes, doctors prescribe Tradjenta and an insulin drug, such as insulin glargine (Basaglar), together. But this combination increases your risk of low blood sugar as a side effect. Doctors may prescribe a lower dose of insulin if they prescribe it with Tradjenta.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’d like to know more about how Tradjenta compares with insulin drugs.

How does Tradjenta work? And how long does it take to start working?

Tradjenta is prescribed to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by blocking an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). (An enzyme is a type of protein.)

Blocking DPP-4 prevents it from breaking down hormones called incretins. (A hormone is a chemical that sends messages in the body.) Incretins help your body produce insulin, and insulin works to lower blood sugar.

Tradjenta begins working when you take your first dose. However, it may take several weeks or months of treatment before you notice long-term changes to your blood sugar level.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Tradjenta

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Tradjenta for treating certain conditions. Approved uses for Tradjenta are described below.

Use for type 2 diabetes

Doctors may prescribe Tradjenta oral tablets for treating type 2 diabetes. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood builds up. Usually, your body releases insulin when your blood glucose is high. Insulin moves glucose out of your blood and into your cells, which use glucose for energy.

But with type 2 diabetes, your cells stop responding to insulin. Over time, your body may stop making its own insulin. This results in a long-term high blood sugar level. Having a high blood sugar level over time can cause serious harm to various body organs, including your eyes, heart, and kidneys.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• fatigue (low energy)
• feeling more thirsty than usual
• increased appetite
• urinating more often than usual

Tradjenta isn’t approved to treat type 1 diabetes, so doctors won’t prescribe the drug for this use. Instead, they’ll discuss other treatments for type 1 diabetes if you have this condition.

Tradjenta hasn’t been studied in people who have had pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas). So it’s not known whether the drug is safe to take if you’ve had this condition. Talk with your doctor to learn more about whether treatment with Tradjenta is safe for you.

Interactions and warnings for Tradjenta

Below, you’ll find information about Tradjenta’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Tradjenta

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take Tradjenta, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Tradjenta” section below.

Warnings for Tradjenta

Some people should not take Tradjenta, and others should take it cautiously.

Tradjenta could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Tradjenta is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Tradjenta, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Tradjenta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tradjenta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tradjenta. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Tradjenta, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Tradjenta

If you take Tradjenta by mouth, you should not take more Tradjenta than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much Tradjenta, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Tradjenta

Information about Tradjenta and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Tradjenta and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Tradjenta should be taken during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having unmanaged type 2 diabetes while pregnant. (Tradjenta is used for managing type 2 diabetes.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about type 2 diabetes treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take Tradjenta during pregnancy.

Tradjenta and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Tradjenta should be taken while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having unmanaged type 2 diabetes during this time. (Tradjenta is used for managing type 2 diabetes.)

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about type 2 diabetes treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take Tradjenta during this time. Your doctor can recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor  

This article describes Tradjenta’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Tradjenta or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do side effects of Tradjenta compare with other medications for managing type 2 diabetes?
• If I can’t afford my prescription, what are my options?
• What drug interactions should I try to avoid while taking Tradjenta?
• Are there certain foods or diets I should avoid while taking Tradjenta?
• Does my health history raise my risk of side effects if I take Tradjenta?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Tradjenta (linagliptin tablets), for oral use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/201280s027lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.