Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Tradjenta is typically used as a long-term treatment.
Here are some fast facts about Tradjenta:
- Active ingredient: linagliptin
- Drug class: dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor
- Drug strength: 5 milligrams (mg)
- Drug form: oral tablets
Like other drugs, Tradjenta can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Tradjenta, including details about its uses, see this article.
Tradjenta can cause certain adverse effects (side effects), some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Tradjenta in clinical trials:
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Tradjenta. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tradjenta’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Tradjenta include:
- cough
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhea*
- constipation*
- urinary tract infection (UTI)†
- weight gain†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Tradjenta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† This side effect was only reported when Tradjenta was used in combination with other medications for diabetes. People using Tradjenta on its own didn’t report this side effect.
Tradjenta may cause serious side effects, but these aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tradjenta’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Tradjenta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Heart failure. Symptoms can include:
- fluid retention causing swelling in your lower legs, ankles, or feet
- shortness of breath
- trouble breathing, especially while lying down
- unusual, quick weight gain (such as gaining five pounds over a few days)
- Pancreatitis. Symptoms can include:
- severe abdominal pain, which may radiate to your back
- Severe joint pain.
- Bullous pemphigoid.*
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).*
- Allergic reaction.*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Tradjenta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Does Tradjenta cause weight gain?
It’s possible that Tradjenta can cause weight gain. This depends on whether Tradjenta is used in combination with other medications. But Tradjenta isn’t known to cause weight gain when taken on its own.
In Tradjenta’s clinical trials, the following weight changes were noted based on how Tradjenta was used:
| Mild weight loss | No weight change | Mild weight gain |
| Tradjenta with metformin | Tradjenta on its own | Tradjenta with pioglitazone |
| Tradjenta with sulfonylurea* |
Other medications used to treat diabetes can affect weight. It’s important to note that it’s not unusual for people with type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar levels to have weight gain.
Weight gain can also be a symptom of heart failure, a rare but serious side effect reported with Tradjenta.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about your weight while taking Tradjenta. They can review your medications and identify which may be causing this side effect. They can also recommend ways for you to manage your weight.
* Sulfonylureas are a class of medications used to treat diabetes. Examples of sulfonylureas include glipizide, glimepiride, and glyburide.
Can Tradjenta cause side effects related to the kidneys?
No, Tradjenta isn’t known to cause side effects related to the kidneys.
It’s important to note that people with diabetes have an increased risk of kidney problems. This is because, over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys.
And certain other medications used to treat diabetes can cause kidney-related side effects. These include Invokana (canagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin).
If you have questions about your kidney health or function, talk with your doctor.
I’m taking Tradjenta with metformin. What side effects can I expect?
In clinical trials, the following side effects were common in people who took Tradjenta in combination with metformin:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and mild weight loss were also reported.
Keep in mind that, although rare, Tradjenta can also cause serious side effects. Your risk for serious side effects is the same whether you take Tradjenta with metformin or not.
If you have additional questions about taking Tradjenta and metformin together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: The combination of linagliptin, the active drug in Tradjenta, and metformin, is available as the brand-name product Jentadueto or Jentadueto XR. It’s also available in a generic version. Outside the United States this combination is commonly available as the brand-name product Trajenta Duo. But Trajenta Duo isn’t available in the U.S.
Does Tradjenta cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible. Long-term side effects that Tradjenta may cause include:
- pancreatitis, which may happen at any time while taking Tradjenta
- heart failure, which may require long-term treatment
However, keep in mind that pancreatitis and heart failure are very rare side effects of treatment with Tradjenta.
If you have additional questions about Tradjenta and long-term side effects, talk with your doctor.
Could a rash be a side effect of Tradjenta?
Possibly. A rash could also be a sign of an allergic reaction, a rare but possibly serious side effect of Tradjenta.
There were a few rare reports of a side effect called bullous pemphigoid by people taking Tradjenta in clinical trials. This is a rare but possibly serious condition that causes large, fluid-filled blisters on your skin.
To learn more about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Learn more about some of the side effects Tradjenta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Diarrhea
Tradjenta may cause diarrhea as a side effect. In clinical trials, this side effect was rare. And no one taking Tradjenta reported severe diarrhea.
What you can do
Diarrhea may go away on its own. But if you have diarrhea that doesn’t go away or bothers you, contact your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest a medication to treat this side effect, such as Imodium (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).
Constipation
Constipation is a possible side effect reported by people who took Tradjenta in combination with long-acting insulin in clinical trials. But constipation wasn’t reported as a side effect by people taking Tradjenta on its own or with other medications for diabetes besides long-acting insulin.
Constipation wasn’t common in people taking Tradjenta with long-acting insulin.
What you can do
Constipation may go away on its own. But if you have constipation that doesn’t go away or bothers you, contact your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest a medication to treat this side effect, such as Colace (docusate).
Hypoglycemia
Like other medications used to treat diabetes, Tradjenta may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as a side effect.
This isn’t surprising, since Tradjenta works to lower blood sugar. But it’s possible for your blood sugar to become too low. When this happens, you may have side effects such as:
- dizziness
- fast heart rate
- confusion
- irritation
- feeling hungry or thirsty
- shakiness or jitteriness
- weakness
In rare cases, hypoglycemia can become severe. This happens when your blood sugar levels continue to decrease without being treated. In extreme cases, low blood sugar can be life threatening. But severe low blood sugar was rare in Tradjenta’s clinical trials.
Taking Tradjenta in combination with other medications for diabetes may raise your risk for low blood sugar. This is especially true for certain types of insulin and medications called sulfonylureas.*
* Sulfonylureas are a class of medications used to treat diabetes. Examples of sulfonylureas include glipizide, glimepiride, and glyburide.
What you can do
Before you begin taking Tradjenta, be sure to talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar levels. And you should also discuss what to do if your blood sugar becomes too low. Your doctor can help develop your low blood sugar action plan.
If you have low blood sugar that feels serious or life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Bullous pemphigoid
Although rare, treatment with Tradjenta can cause a skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid.
With bullous pemphigoid, your body’s immune system attacks your skin by accident. This results in large, fluid-filled blisters on your skin. These blisters may be discolored, itchy, and painful. The skin in these areas may break down (erode). Skin rash is another possible symptom you may have.
In some cases, bullous pemphigoid caused by Tradjenta may require treatment in a hospital.
What you can do
Contact your doctor right away if you develop a skin rash or blisters while taking Tradjenta. They’ll likely want to examine your symptoms in person. If they determine you are having bullous pemphigoid as a side effect of Tradjenta, they’ll likely have you stop taking the medication. They’ll also recommend the best way to treat this side effect.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Tradjenta can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Tradjenta. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Tradjenta. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Heart or kidney problems. If you already have heart problems, you may be at higher risk for heart failure as a side effect of taking Tradjenta. Having kidney problems can also be a risk factor for developing heart failure if you take Tradjenta. Your doctor can tell you more about possible benefits and risks of taking Tradjenta if you have heart or kidney problems.
History of pancreatitis. Although rare, Tradjenta can cause pancreatitis (swelling and damage in your pancreas) as a side effect. It’s not known whether having pancreatitis in the past raises your risk for this side effect. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take.
High blood triglyceride levels. Having high blood triglyceride levels can raise your risk for pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect with Tradjenta. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take. They may suggest treatment to lower your triglyceride levels before prescribing Tradjenta for you.
Stones in your gallbladder (gallstones). In rare cases, Tradjenta can cause pancreatitis as a side effect. It’s not known whether having gallstones (stones in your gallbladder), either currently or in the past, raises your risk for this side effect. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take.
Alcohol use disorder. Having alcohol use disorder can increase your risk for pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect of Tradjenta. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tradjenta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tradjenta. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.
Alcohol use with Tradjenta
There’s no known interaction between drinking alcohol and taking Tradjenta.
However, alcohol may worsen certain side effects of Tradjenta, such as nausea and diarrhea. It can also make managing blood sugar levels more difficult. This is because alcohol can also affect blood sugar levels.
Depending on how much alcohol you consume, alcohol may also raise your risk for pancreatitis, a rare but potentially life threatening side effect. For example, people with alcohol use disorder may be at higher risk for pancreatitis.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe for you to drink while taking Tradjenta.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Tradjenta
It’s not known if Tradjenta is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. The medication hasn’t been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding people. Animal studies didn’t show harm during pregnancy. But keep in mind that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.
Talk with your doctor about your treatment options for diabetes if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Treatment with Tradjenta may cause mild side effects. However, most people are able to take the drug without having side effects. And when mild side effects do occur, they typically go away on their own or are easily treated.
If you experience mild side effects that don’t go away or are bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
In rare cases, Tradjenta can cause serious side effects. Factors like your medical history or other medications you take can influence your risk for serious side effects from taking Tradjenta.
If you’d like to learn more about Tradjenta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Tradjenta. For details about other aspects of Tradjenta, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. To learn how Tradjenta compares with Januvia, see this article.
- A look at type 2 diabetes. For details about your condition, see our diabetes hub, as well as 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.