Key Takeaways
- Common side effects of Tradjenta (linagliptin) include common cold symptoms, diarrhea, cough, back pain, and joint pain.
- Serious side effects may include pancreatitis, low blood sugar, and heart failure. Symptoms like sudden belly pain, severe blisters, or rapid weight gain require immediate medical care.
- Tradjenta by itself doesn’t typically cause weight changes, but combining it with certain diabetes medications may lead to mild weight gain or weight loss.
Not everyone who uses Tradjenta experiences side effects, and some side effects are more common than others.
In clinical trials of people taking Tradjenta, the most common side effects included:
- common cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose and sore throat (7% of people)
- diarrhea (3.3%)
- cough (2.1%)
In clinical trials of people taking Tradjenta with metformin for 2 years, the most common side effects included:
- back pain (9.1% of people)
- joint pain (8.1%)
- headache (6.4%)
- cough (6.1%)
- pain in arms or legs (5.3%)
In clinical trials of people taking Tradjenta with a sulfonylurea, the most common side effects included urinary tract infections (3.1% of people) and high levels of triglycerides (2.4%).
In clinical trials of people taking Tradjenta with pioglitazone, the most common side effects included high cholesterol (2.7% of people) and weight gain (2.3%).
Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
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While rare, serious and potentially severe side effects have been reported in clinical trials of Tradjenta. These include:
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- low blood sugar
- disabling joint pain
- severe blistering skin reactions
- heart failure
- serious allergic reactions
Caution: Trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, tongue or throat, and wheezing are symptoms of a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical care. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not wait for them to resolve on their own. Call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
How long do the side effects of Tradjenta last?
In most cases, common and mild side effects of Tradjenta are temporary and can be easily managed. More serious side effects require medical care and may take longer to resolve.
If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, let your doctor or pharmacist know right away. Don’t stop taking Tradjenta unless your doctor recommends it.
Weight changes depend on how you use Tradjenta.
Tradjenta isn’t likely to cause weight gain on its own. But weight changes may happen if you combine the drug with some diabetes medications:
| Mild weight loss | Weight neutral | Mild weight gain |
| Tradjenta + metformin | Tradjenta by itself | Tradjenta + pioglitazone |
| Tradjenta + sulfonylurea |
Sudden and rapid weight gain may be a symptom of heart failure, a rare but serious side effect of Tradjenta. It is typically caused by fluid buildup because the heart does not pump blood as well as it should. This is a medical emergency.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tradjenta’s side effects.
No, it shouldn’t. Tradjenta has not been reported to cause kidney-related side effects.
People with diabetes may be at an increased risk of kidney problems when taking Tradjenta. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time. Tradjenta helps lower blood sugar levels.
The prescribing information does not list any side effects as permanent, but some require long-term management or may have a lasting impact.
Heart failure, severe pancreatitis, and severe joint pain are possible serious side effects of Tradjenta that may need long term management, even after you stop the medication.
Yes. Clinical trials show that you are more likely to experience some of the mild side effects of Tradjenta when you take the medication with metformin. Adding Tradjenta to metformin is a very common treatment plan that often outweighs the risk of side effects.
Clinical trials have shown that taking Tradjenta with metformin may lead to a slightly higher chance of back pain, joint pain, headache, cough, and pain in arms or legs.
Q:
Is Tradjenta safe to take if I have liver problems? Can it cause liver-related side effects?
AnonymousA:
Tradjenta isn’t known to cause liver-related side effects. Your body can remove drugs in many different ways. Tradjenta doesn’t rely on your liver for this removal process, so overall it’s considered safe in people with liver problems.
Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.Diarrhea
Diarrhea from Tradjenta may go away on its own. An over-the-counter (OTC) product like Imodium A-D (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) may help.
A bland diet of toast, white rice, and pasta may also help manage diarrhea for a few days.
But if diarrhea persists or gets worse within 3 days, talk with a doctor right away.
Pancreatitis
Symptoms of pancreatitis may include:
- sudden, severe belly pain
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- fever
Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Tradjenta. If your symptoms worsen quickly, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number.
Skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid happens when your body’s immune system attacks your skin by mistake.
As a result, large, fluid-filled blisters form on your skin. These blisters may be discolored, itchy, and painful. The skin in these areas may break down. Skin rash is another possible symptom you may have.
In some cases, people have needed hospitalization due to bullous pemphigoid caused by Tradjenta.
You should call your doctor right away if you develop any skin rash or blisters while taking Tradjenta.
Constipation
Constipation may go away on its own. But if you have constipation that doesn’t go away or bothers you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest a treatment for this side effect, such as the medication Colace (docusate).
Allergic reactions
Allergic symptoms with Tradjenta may be mild or serious and could include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, a healthcare professional can help. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.
Do not self-medicate if you have allergy symptoms as some drugs may interact with Tradjenta.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Tradjenta, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
How to start tracking your side effectsDuring your Tradjenta treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with a doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how long did the symptoms last
- how it affected your daily activities
- what other medications you took that day
- any other information you feel is important
Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Tradjenta affects you. They can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current consumer drug information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.