Side Effects of Tradjenta: What You Need to Know

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Tradjenta (linagliptin) as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Tradjenta is typically prescribed long-term for this use.

Tradjenta comes as a tablet you swallow. It’s available in one strength: 5 milligrams (mg).

For more information about Tradjenta, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Tradjenta can cause mild to serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may have mild to serious side effects during their Tradjenta treatment. While some are more common than others, not everyone who uses Tradjenta will have side effects.

Examples of Tradjenta’s commonly reported side effects include:

• stuffy or runny nose
• sore throat
• cough
• diarrhea*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Like most medications, Tradjenta may cause mild side effects. But these aren’t common. Most people who took Tradjenta in studies didn’t have side effects.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Tradjenta include:

• cough
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• constipation*
• diarrhea*
• urinary tract infection (UTI)**
• weight gain**

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
** This side effect was only reported when Tradjenta was used with other medications for diabetes. People using Tradjenta by itself didn’t report this side effect.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Tradjenta unless your doctor recommends it.

Tradjenta may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See Tradjenta’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Tradjenta, visit MedWatch.

It’s possible to have serious side effects from taking Tradjenta. But these are rare. Very few people who took Tradjenta in the drug’s studies had serious side effects.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Tradjenta include:

• joint pain
• low blood sugar
• allergic reaction*
• pancreatitis*
• a skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid*

Heart failure is a side effect that has occurred with medications that are similar to Tradjenta. But it hasn’t been reported with Tradjenta use.

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tradjenta’s side effects.

Will taking Tradjenta affect my kidneys?

No, it shouldn’t. Tradjenta wasn’t shown to cause kidney-related side effects in studies.

But people with diabetes are at an increased risk of kidney problems. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage your kidneys over time. Tradjenta helps lower blood sugar levels.

Other drugs used to treat diabetes may affect your kidneys, but Tradjenta isn’t known to do this. If you have questions about your kidney function, talk with your doctor.

Does Tradjenta cause any long-term side effects?

It’s possible. One long-term but very rare side effect that may happen at any time while taking Tradjenta is pancreatitis. (To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.)

Another possible long-term side effect is heart failure. There haven’t been reports of heart failure occurring with Tradjenta. But it has been reported with other medications in the same group of drugs (called DPP-4 inhibitors). In an abundance of caution, the manufacturer of Tradjenta recommends talking with your doctor if you’re at risk of heart failure. They can discuss with you all of the risks and benefits of Tradjenta treatment.

If you have questions about these or other side effects of Tradjenta, talk with your doctor.

Does taking Tradjenta with metformin increase my risk of side effects compared with taking Tradjenta alone?

Taking Tradjenta with metformin can increase the possibility of very mild weight loss. It isn’t thought to impact your risk of other side effects, though.

If you have 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 drug Jentadueto or Jentadueto XR. Outside the U.S., this combination is commonly available as the brand-name product Trajenta Duo. But Trajenta Duo isn’t available in the U.S.

Can Tradjenta cause weight gain?

Maybe. It depends on how Tradjenta is used. Tradjenta isn’t known to cause weight gain on its own. But weight gain can happen when people use Tradjenta with certain other diabetes medications.

In Tradjenta’s studies, the following weight changes were noted based on the other medications used with it:

It’s not unusual for people with type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar to gain weight. And other medications used to treat diabetes can affect weight.

Weight gain can also be a symptom of heart failure, a rare but serious side effect caused by Tradjenta.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about your weight. They can review your medications and let you know of any that may be causing this side effect. They can also recommend ways for you to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects that are possible with Tradjenta.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a side effect that Tradjenta may cause. Although it was more common than other side effects reported in studies, it still didn’t happen often. Most people who took Tradjenta didn’t have diarrhea as a side effect.

What might help

Diarrhea from Tradjenta may go away on its own. But if you have diarrhea 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 Imodium A-D (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).

Pancreatitis

While rare, pancreatitis is a possible side effect Tradjenta may cause. But it wasn’t common in the drug’s studies. Pancreatitis causes swelling and damage in the pancreas. In extreme cases, pancreatitis can be fatal.

Symptoms of pancreatitis may include:

• sudden, severe belly pain
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• fever

Certain people may be at increased risk of pancreatitis if they take Tradjenta, including those who:

• have had pancreatitis in the past
• have had gallstones (stones in your gallbladder) in the past
• have or have had high levels of triglycerides
• have alcoholism

What might help

Call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of pancreatitis. If your symptoms feel life threatening, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number.

Skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid

Although very rare, Tradjenta can cause a skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid. Doctors aren’t sure why this side effect happens in certain people taking Tradjenta.

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.

What might help

You should call your doctor right away if you develop a skin rash or blisters while taking Tradjenta. They’ll likely want to see you in person to examine your symptoms closely. They’ll likely have you stop taking Tradjenta if they determine you’re having bullous pemphigoid as a side effect. They’ll also recommend the best way to treat this side effect. This may include treatment at the hospital.

Constipation

While it’s possible to have constipation from taking Tradjenta, it isn’t likely. Constipation was reported by people who took Tradjenta together with long-acting insulin in studies. But it wasn’t a side effect in those taking Tradjenta alone or with other diabetes medications besides long-acting insulin.

Constipation wasn’t common among people taking Tradjenta with long-acting insulin.

What might help

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 reaction

Like most drugs, Tradjenta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. While it wasn’t seen in original studies of the drug, it has been reported since Tradjenta was approved for use. But it’s not clear how often this has happened or if Tradjenta was the cause.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can 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

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. 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.

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.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Tradjenta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Tradjenta treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your 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 it affected your daily activities
• what other medications you’re also taking
• 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.

Tradjenta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Tradjenta. Below are some factors to consider.

History of pancreatitis. Although it’s rare, taking Tradjenta can cause pancreatitis (swelling and damage in your pancreas). It’s not known whether having pancreatitis in the past increases your risk of this side effect. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take.

Alcohol use disorder. If you have alcohol use disorder, it can increase your risk of pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect of Tradjenta. Your doctor can help determine whether Tradjenta is safe for you to take.

Heart or kidney problems. You may be at higher risk of heart failure as a side effect from Tradjenta if you have heart or kidney problems. If you do, your doctor can tell you more about the possible benefits and risks from taking Tradjenta.

High triglyceride levels. Having high triglyceride levels can increase your risk of pancreatitis. This is a rare but serious side effect of Tradjenta. Your doctor can help determine whether this medication is safe for you to take. They may suggest a treatment to lower your triglycerides before prescribing Tradjenta for you.

Gallstones. Although it’s rare, Tradjenta can result in pancreatitis as a side effect. It’s unknown whether having a history of gallstones (stones in your gallbladder) increases your risk of this side effect. 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 it for you. Ask them what other medications might be better options.

Alcohol use and Tradjenta

There’s no known direct interaction between alcohol and Tradjenta. But drinking alcohol may worsen certain side effects of Tradjenta, such as nausea and diarrhea. It can also make it harder to manage your blood sugar levels. So alcohol could affect how well Tradjenta works for you.

Drinking alcohol may also increase your risk of pancreatitis, a rare but potentially life threatening side effect of Tradjenta. For example, people with alcohol use disorder may be at higher risk of pancreatitis.

If you consume 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 whether it’s safe to take Tradjenta while pregnant or breastfeeding. This medication hasn’t been studied in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor about your treatment options for diabetes if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on either.

While Tradjenta can cause side effects, they’re not common. Most people can take Tradjenta without any adverse effects. Mild side effects caused by Tradjenta usually go away on their own or can be treated. In rare cases, taking Tradjenta can cause serious side effects.

Before taking Tradjenta, talk with your doctor. Ask questions to help you become familiar with this medication and its side effects. Some examples to help get you started are:

• Do other medications I take increase my risk of side effects from Tradjenta?
• Does my medical history put me at higher risk of certain side effects if I take this drug?
• If I have side effects while taking Tradjenta, is there a lower dose I can try instead?

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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.