Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to help manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Tradjenta is used in combination with a diet and exercise plan.
Tradjenta belongs to a class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It comes as an oral tablet.
Dosage summary
The following chart summarizes Tradjenta’s dosage. Milligrams is abbreviated as mg. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Tradjenta form | Tradjenta strength | Typical and maximum dosage |
oral tablet | 5 mg | 5 mg per day |
For information about the dosage of Tradjenta, including how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Tradjenta, see this article.
This article describes typical dosages for Tradjenta provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Tradjenta, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is important information about Tradjenta’s dosing for its approved use.
Tradjenta form
Tradjenta comes as an oral tablet.
Tradjenta strength
Tradjenta is available in one strength: 5 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
The recommended dosage of Tradjenta is 5 mg per day. The dosage is not titrated, so there is no dose range. (When a drug is titrated, the dose is low to start, then slowly increased over time. This is done with certain medications to help prevent side effects.)
The maximum dose of Tradjenta is 5 mg. Typically, there is no dose adjustment needed with the medication.
Long-term treatment
Tradjenta is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tradjenta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Tradjenta and their answers.
What’s the renal dosing for Tradjenta?
Tradjenta does not have renal dosing. (Renal refers to the kidneys.) If you have kidney problems, your doctor will likely prescribe the standard dose of Tradjenta.
If you have other questions about Tradjenta’s dose or taking the medication when you have kidney problems, talk with your doctor.
Will my doctor prescribe a smaller dose of Tradjenta if I take other diabetes medications?
No, they won’t. Tradjenta has just one dose: 5 milligrams (mg). When Tradjenta was given with other diabetes drugs in clinical trials, the dose was 5 mg. An example of the diabetes drugs is insulin.
If you have additional questions about your Tradjenta dose or other diabetes medications, talk with your doctor.
Tradjenta comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. You should not crush or chew it.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
You can take Tradjenta with or without food.
Be sure to take the medication at the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body so Tradjenta can work effectively.
Accessible drug labels and containersIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Tradjenta in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Tradjenta, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. You should not double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
If you have questions about whether or not to take a missed dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Tradjenta than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Tradjenta
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Tradjenta. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tradjenta for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Tradjenta without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tradjenta that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tradjenta. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Tradjenta. For information about other aspects of Tradjenta, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Tradjenta, see this article. You can also look at the Tradjenta prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. Find out how Tradjenta compares with Januvia.
- Details about type 2 diabetes. For details about your condition, see our diabetes hub and this list of related articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.