What is Linagliptin
Linagliptin is a prescription medication that contains two drugs, Linagliptin and metformin. Knowing about the drug combinations is important as they can affect you. It comes as a tablet and an extended-release tablet.
Linagliptin tablets are used to treat type 2 diabetes. They help increase the amount of insulin in the body, which is the hormone that helps control the blood sugar level.
Linagliptin Uses
Linagliptin tablets can be used with diet and other medications to lower the blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of certain natural substances that lower blood sugar when it is high. Linagliptin is also used in combination with insulin to treat diabetes.
Linagliptin Side Effects
Some common side effects of Linagliptin are:
Some of the serious side effects of Linagliptin are:
Lactic acidosis. It includes symptoms like:
- Weakness
- Muscle pain
- Breathlessness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Irregular heartbeat
Low blood sugar. It includes symptoms like:
- Sweating
- Fast heart rate
- Dizziness
Allergic reactions. It includes symptoms like:
- Swelling of face
- Trouble in swallowing
- Skin rash
If you have any of the above symptoms, immediately contact the general physician for further assistance. In any case, due to Linagliptin, if you get any kind of reaction in your body, try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicine after seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine, which are greater than the side effects. The majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you experience any serious side effects from Linagliptin.
Precautions to Take Before Start Using Linagliptin
Before taking Linagliptin, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or if any other medications are related. The product may contain some inactive ingredients that can cause some serious allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using the medication, talk to your doctor if you have any medical history, such as:
- Disease of pancreas
- Stones in the gallbladder
- Heart failure
How to Take Linagliptin?
Linagliptin comes in the form of a tablet. Linagliptin tablets are taken once a day with or without food. Take Linagliptin medication at around the same time every day. Follow all the direction mention on the prescription label and ask the doctor for explaining to you about the dosage briefly.
Linagliptin tablets help in controlling high blood sugar but this does not cure diabetes.
Dosage of Linagliptin Drug
Brand in India
Jentadueto (Immediate-release oral tablet)
Strengths
- linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 500 mg
- linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 850 mg
- linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 1,000 mg
Form
Extended-release oral tablet
Strengths
- Linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 1,000 mg
- Linagliptin 5 mg/metformin 1,000 mg
Dosage for Type 2 diabetes
Adult dosage
- 2.5 mg of linagliptin and 500 mg of metformin
- Maximum dosage 5 mg of linagliptin and 2000 mg of metformin per day.
Missed Dose
Missing one or two doses of Linagliptin won’t show any effect on your body. However, some medications won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body. Sometimes, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. Suppose you have taken more than the prescribed Linagliptin tablets. In that case, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Allergy Warnings
Swelling of lips, throat, and face trouble in breathing and swallowing, Hives, and Skin problems
Warning for Some Serious Health Conditions
Kidney Disease
Linagliptin is one of the drugs in this combination product. If your kidneys are not working well, ligandliptin levels can build up in your blood, leading to dangerous side effects.
People with severe kidney disease are at the highest risk of lactic acidosis from the use of metformin, so do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney disease. Kidney disease also increases the risk of heart failure from this drug.
Liver Problems
Linagliptin is one of the drugs in this combination. Your doctor will check your liver function before and during your treatment with it.
Low Levels of Vitamin B12
Linagliptin is one of the drugs in this combination drug. The use of Linagliptin can reduce the levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. If you already have low levels of vitamin B12 or anemia (low levels of red blood cells), these conditions can get worse.
Pancreatitis
Linagliptin is one of the drugs in this combination. Using it can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and can make this condition worse if you already have it.
Storage
- Direct contact with heat, air, and light may damage your medicines.
- Kept in a safe place and away from children.
- Kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Linagliptin:
- Consult your doctor. If you face any problems or get any side effects after taking It, rush immediately to your nearest hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment.
- Carry your medications in your bag while traveling to avoid any immediate emergencies.
- Follow your prescription and follow your doctor’s advice whenever you take It.
Linagliptin vs Sitagliptin
| Linagliptin | Sitagliptin |
|---|---|
| Linagliptin is a prescription medication which contains two drugs: Linagliptin and metformin. It’s very important to know about the drug in the combination as each drug can affect you in a different way. | Sitagliptin comes in the form of an oral tablet. This is available in the brand name drug called Januvia. |
| Linagliptin tablets can be used with diet and other medications to lower the blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. This belongs to the class of medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. | The medication is used for treating high blood sugar levels which are caused by type 2 diabetes. |
Some common side effects of Linagliptin are:
|
Some of the common side effects of Sitagliptin are:
|
