Compare Januvia vs. Tradjenta

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Januvia (sitagliptin)

Prescription only

Tradjenta (linagliptin)

Prescription only
Lowers your blood sugar.

Januvia (sitagliptin) is a good add-on treatment if your blood sugars are not controlled and you don't want to use an injectable medicine.

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3.2/ 5 average rating with 143 reviewsforJanuvia
Lowers blood sugar.

Tradjenta (linagliptin) is good add-on medicine for controlling your blood sugar, but may cause body aches.

Upsides
  • Oral blood sugar-lowering medicine.
  • Januvia (sitagliptin) is not linked to worsening heart failure like other medicines in its class.
  • Uses the hormones naturally produced by your body to affect how sugar is processed.
  • It is less likely to cause weight gain and low blood sugar compared to other diabetes medicines.
  • Good add-on medicine if your blood sugars are still not controlled
  • Good option if you have bad liver or kidney function.
  • Can be taken once daily.
  • Does not cause weight gain.
  • Does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when taken by itself.
Downsides
  • Lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) by less than 1%.
  • Available as brand version only.
  • Some people might get frequent cold-like symptoms.
  • Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis and severe joint pain.
  • Not first-choice anti-diabetes medicine because it doesn't lower blood sugar levels as much as others.
  • Available as brand only and may be expensive
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$507.09
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Lowest price
$420.10
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Reviews
143 reviews so far
44%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
17%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
3possible side effects
  • Common cold
    5%
  • Diarrhea
    3%
  • Abdominal pain
    2%
See more detailed side effects
6possible side effects
  • Back pain
    9%
  • Joint pain
    8%
  • Lung infection
    8%
  • Headache
    6%
  • Cough
    6%
  • Pain in the limbs
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Death from inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    • History of pancreatitis
    • High blood triglyceride levels
    • Gallstones (stones in gallbladder)
    • History of alchoholism
    • Kidney problems
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Kidney damage
    • Pre-existing kidney damage
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    • Taking medicines for diabetes
  • Severe joint pain and swelling
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Inflammation of pancreas (pancreatitis)
    • Alcoholism
    • Elevated triglycerides
    • History of pancreatitis
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    • Alcoholism
    • Exercising more than you usually do
    • Insulin
    • Other antidiabetic medications
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Severe joint pain
  • Fluid-filled blisters on the skin (bullous pemphigoid)
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Januvia (sitagliptin)
Learn more about Tradjenta (linagliptin)