Trajenta (Linagliptin): What is it used for, How does it work, What are the side effects?

ByClinical Pharmacist, Pharm.D.

What is Trajenta used for?

TRAJENTA, along with diet and exercise to improve control of blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, is used:

  • alone in patients who cannot take metformin, or
  • in combination with metformin, or
  • in combination with a sulfonylurea, or
  • in combination with metformin and a sulfonylurea, or
  • in combination with metformin and empagliflozin, or
  • in combination with insulin (with or without metformin).

How does Trajenta work?

TRAJENTA is a member of a class of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors). TRAJENTA helps to improve the levels of insulin when blood sugar level is high, especially after a meal. TRAJENTA also helps to decrease the amount of sugar made by the body.

Who should not take Trajenta?

You should not take TRAJENTA if:

  • you are allergic (hypersensitive) to linagliptin or any of the nonmedicinal ingredients listed below.
  • you have type 1 diabetes (your body does not produce any insulin) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes with high blood sugar, rapid weight loss, nausea or vomiting).

What are the ingredients in Trajent?

Medicinal ingredient: Linagliptin.

Nonmedicinal ingredients: TRAJENTA tablets contain the following nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, pregelatinised starch, maize starch, copovidone, magnesium stearate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, talc, macrogol, iron oxide red.

What strength tablets is Trajenta available in?

TRAJENTA is supplied as tablets containing 5 mg linagliptin. The tablets are round, light red in colour and have the marking “D5” on one side.

Warnings and Precautions for Trajenta

BEFORE you use TRAJENTA talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • you take sulfonylurea or insulin. Your doctor may reduce your dose of these products when you take them with TRAJENTA. This can help avoid low blood sugar. Your physician may consider lowering the dose of the sulfonylurea or insulin.
  • you have had allergic reactions to any other medicines that you take to control the amount of sugar in your blood;
  • you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;
  • you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed;
  • you have or have had pancreas problems such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
  • you have risk factors for pancreatitis such as:
    • gallstones (solid particles that form in the gall bladder),
    • a history of alcoholism,
    • high triglyceride levels;
  • you have congestive heart failure, history of any heart problems or other risk factors for heart failure including kidney problems;
  • you have any skin problems;
  • you have liver problems.

TRAJENTA is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years.

Cases of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) have been reported in patients taking TRAJENTA. Pancreatitis can be severe and lead to death.

Cases of severe skin reactions including bullous pemphigoid can occur and have been reported in patients taking TRAJENTA. You may need treatment in a hospital. You may need to see a dermatologist to diagnose and treat these skin reactions.

Driving and using machines: TRAJENTA can cause low blood sugar. This is more likely when you take it with sulfonylurea or with insulin. Before doing these kinds of tasks wait until you know how you respond to TRAJENTA.

What medications does Trajenta interact with?

Tell your physician or pharmacist about all the drugs you take. This includes prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRAJENTA may interact with other medications. This may cause serious side effects. This can be less control of your blood sugar or low blood sugar.

What is the usual dose of Trajenta?

5 mg tablet, once a day. You can take TRAJENTA with or without food.

What to do if you overdose on Trajenta?

If you think you have taken too much TRAJENTA, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

What to do if you miss a dose of Trajenta?

  • If you forget to take a dose of TRAJENTA, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose of TRAJENTA on the same day.

What are the side effects of Trajenta? What to do about them?

These are not all the possible side effects that you may have when taking TRAJENTA. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects with TRAJENTA include:

  • Cough
  • Inflamed nose or throat (nasopharyngitis), sore throat, cold symptoms, stuffy or runny nose
  • High blood triglyceride
  • High blood lipase or amylase
  • Constipation
  • Hives or nettle rash (urticaria)
  • Rash, itching
  • Mouth sores (mouth ulceration)

Your doctor may do blood tests before you start TRAJENTA and while you take it. They may check your blood sugar, liver function, and how well your kidneys are working. Your doctor will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Symptom/Effect

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist

Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist

Only if severe

In all cases

Very Common
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar – when used with a sulfonylurea): shaking, sweating, anxiety, blurred vision, tingling lips, paleness, mood change, vagueness or confusion 

•

 
Uncommon
Hypersensitivity (allergic reactions): rash, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing and wheezing and shortness of breath   

•

Rare
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): prolonged severe abdominal pain which may be accompanied by vomiting; pain may spread out towards the back  

•

Severe skin reactions including bullous pemphigoid: redness, peeling skin, and/or blistering of the skin, lips, eyes or mouth   

•

Very Rare
Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of damaged muscle): muscle spasms, weakness, red-brown (tea-coloured) urine  

•

Unknown
Arthralgia: severe joint pain 

•

 

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to Store Trajenta?

Store at room temperature (15°C-30°C). Keep TRAJENTA and all medicines safely away from children.

Reference: FDA Monograph

Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure that all information is factually correct and up to date, however this article is not comprehensive and does not contain all relevant information about the topic. IT should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist 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.

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