Tradjenta (Linagliptin)
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
Tradjenta helps to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. A generic medicine named linagliptin, a member of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitor) or gliptin family of anti-diabetic medications is its active component.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
A person is considered to have Type 2 diabetes if the body produces insufficient insulin or does not respond to the insulin appropriately. The pancreas produces and releases insulin in the bloodstream, allowing blood sugar into the cells that convert it into energy. When a person has type 2 diabetes, body cells become resistant to insulin. As a result, your body makes more insulin to get cells to respond. This imbalance in your blood sugar will rise, leading to type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar can cause serious health problems causing amputation or affecting your heart, vision, and kidneys.
How will the drug Tradjenta help?
Tradjenta helps treat type 2 diabetes when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
There are periods when blood sugar may spike during a 24-hour day. For example, in the morning, blood sugar may rise because the pancreas releases a higher level of glucagon, which makes your liver produce more blood sugar. In the same way, after meals, the pancreas may not release enough insulin resulting in a higher level of blood sugar. Tradjenta can be taken on its own or with other medications that lower blood sugar.
Note: Patients with type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes will not get help, nor should they use it to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
You can take Tradjenta alone if you cannot take Metformin. Additionally, you can take it in conjunction with Metformin; or in conjunction with a Sulfonylurea, or in conjunction with both Metformin and a Sulfonylurea.
How does Tradjenta work?
Our body has a group of gastrointestinal hormones called incretins. Incretins help the production of insulin as and when the body requires it, for example, after eating. Also, incretins reduce the production of glucagon by the liver as and when it is not needed, for example, during digestion. However, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) can damage incretins, and the body may not regulate blood glucose levels. Linagliptin is a class of gliptins that protect incretins from damage and are known as DDP-4 inhibitors. As a result, gliptins help control blood glucose levels. Linagliptin is usually prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes who have not responded well to drugs such as metformin and sulphonylureas.
DPP-4 inhibitors may help with weight loss besides decreasing blood sugar levels. However, they have also been linked with higher rates of pancreatitis.
Other medicines in the class of gliptins are:
DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors), which include Tradjenta, are a broad class of anti-diabetic medications that help you control your insulin levels, particularly after a meal when blood sugar levels are high. Additionally, it aids in reducing the quantity of sugar your body produces on its own.
How to take this Tradjenta medication?
Remember to tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medication you use, including all medicines, prescription and over-the-counter, and all herbal supplements that fall under this category. In addition, Tradjenta must be taken daily, with or without food.
What is the dosage of Tradjenta?
Always remember to follow your doctor’s recommendations before taking Tradjenta. The recommended dosage for adults is one 5 mg pill, taken once daily, with or without food.
Missed Dose of using Tradjenta
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dosage if it is almost time for the following dose. Do not take two doses on the same day. Likewise, do not take two doses to make up for a missed one.
Overdose of using Tradjenta
Even if there are no obvious symptoms, you should still seek quick medical attention from a doctor, hospital emergency room, or local poison control center in case of an accidental drug overdose.
Warnings and Precautions while using Tradjenta
If you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or any allergies to linagliptin or non-medicinal substances, you should not take the medication.
Talk to your doctor before using this medication if:
- You take insulin, a “sulfonylurea,” or any anti-diabetic medication, and you’ve previously experienced allergic reactions to other medicines that lower your blood sugar.
- You currently have or formerly had pancreas issues like pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- You have liver problems.
- You suffer from congestive heart failure or any other heart conditions.
- You have any skin issues.
- You are pregnant or intend to get pregnant, or you are currently or intend to breastfeed.
What are the Side Effects of using Tradjenta
Typical adverse effects could be:
- reduced blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- a sore throat or nose (nasopharyngitis)
You risk having low blood sugar if you use this medication along with any sulfonylurea drugs. If you have low blood sugar symptoms like trembling, sweating, paleness, mood swings, blurred vision, tingling lips, or confusion, stop taking Trajdjenta and call your doctor immediately.
Less common adverse effects:
- Severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity)
- Cough
- Joint pain
- High blood triglycerides
- Swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat, which may cause difficulty in breathing (angioedema) or swallowing
- Hives or nettle rash (urticaria)
Rare adverse effects of this medicine
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Mouth ulcerations
- Rashes
Please call your doctor if any of these adverse effects worsen or if you experience any side effects that aren’t on this list. In addition, Tradjenta may produce abnormal blood test results. Consult your doctor about the test results.
Discuss any adverse effect that bothers you or does not go away with your healthcare professional. These are not the only negative consequences that could occur. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.
