If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may suggest Tradjenta as a treatment option.

It’s a prescription drug used to treat high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s meant to be used along with diet and exercise.

Tradjenta comes as a tablet that you swallow. The active ingredient in this medication is linagliptin. (This is the ingredient that makes Tradjenta work.)

Tradjenta belongs to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. These drugs help your body release the right amount of insulin when you eat, which helps manage your blood sugar.

This article describes the dosage of Tradjenta, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Tradjenta, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Tradjenta’s typical dosage, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Tradjenta, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

You can read about the typical dosage of Tradjenta in the section below. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

What is Tradjenta’s form?

Tradjenta comes as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Tradjenta come in?

Tradjenta comes in one strength of 5 milligrams (mg).

What is the typical dosage of Tradjenta?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The typical dosage of Tradjenta is one 5-mg tablet taken once daily.

Other diabetes medications may have a dose range or a maximum dose, but Tradjenta has just one dosage.

Is Tradjenta used long term?

Yes, Tradjenta is typically 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.

Below are answers to some common questions about Tradjenta.

For renal impairment, does Tradjenta require any dosing adjustments?

A doctor will not lower your Tradjenta dose for renal impairment (kidney damage). But if you already have kidney problems, your doctor may monitor your kidneys and your heart while you take Tradjenta.

With kidney damage, you have an increased risk of heart failure. And if you’re taking a DPP-4 inhibitor drug, you also have an increased risk of heart failure.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Tradjenta. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you.

Will my doctor lower my dose of Tradjenta if I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?

Tradjenta can contribute to low blood sugar in some people. This happens more often in those taking Tradjenta together with insulin or other drugs that lower blood sugar.

If your doctor prescribes Tradjenta with other diabetes medications, but you often have low blood sugar, they’ll likely adjust the dosages of the other medications. Tradjenta is only prescribed at one dosage.

If you take Tradjenta as your only treatment for diabetes and have frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, your doctor will likely have you stop taking this drug. They can suggest other options to help you treat your condition.

Tradjenta comes as a tablet you swallow whole. You’ll typically take Tradjenta once daily at about the same time every day. You can take it with or without food.

If you have a hard time swallowing tablets, check out this article or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may have tips for you or suggest you take a different medication.

For information on Tradjenta expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Tradjenta in an easy-open container. They may also have tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

If you miss a dose of Tradjenta, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip it and continue taking one tablet each day. Do not take a double dose of Tradjenta to make up for a missed dose.

If you need help remembering to take your Tradjenta dose at the same time each day, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your smartphone.

If you’re unsure of whether or not to take a missed dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take more Tradjenta than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Tradjenta

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Tradjenta. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tradjenta for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Tradjenta without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Tradjenta exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will the dosage of the other drugs I take for managing my blood sugar change when I start Tradjenta?
  • How often should I test my blood sugar when I start taking Tradjenta?
  • Does it make a difference if I take Tradjenta in the morning or evening?

For helpful tips on managing type 2 diabetes, you can subscribe to Healthline’s online newsletter. You can also find support and advice from our Bezzy type 2 diabetes community.

Q:

How will I know if my dosage of insulin needs to change while I’m taking Tradjenta?

Anonymous

A:

Doctors commonly prescribe Tradjenta together with other diabetes medications, such as insulin. But taking Tradjenta and insulin can increase your risk of low blood sugar.Since both medications are used to reduce blood sugar, the combination may lower your blood sugar too much.

When your doctor prescribes Tradjenta, they may lower your insulin dosage at the same time. They’ll likely also have you monitor your blood sugar more often than usual. Your doctor will also help you plan what to do if you start having symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness or irritability. The usual plan is to consume sugar, such as fruit juice or glucose tablets, as soon as possible and then recheck your blood sugar.

If your symptoms feel severe or life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number, or seek immediate medical care.

If you have questions about your insulin dosage while you’re taking Tradjenta, talk with your doctor.

Patricia Weiser, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.