Compare Tradjenta vs. Actos

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

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Tradjenta (linagliptin)

Prescription only

Actos (pioglitazone)

Prescription only
Lowers blood sugar.

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

Lowers blood sugar.

Actos (pioglitazone) can improve blood sugar control but is not a top choice since it has a lot of side effects.

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3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos
Upsides
  • 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.
  • Improves sugar control and lowers A1c levels by around 1%.
  • Easily taken by mouth as a once a day pill.
  • Prevents the harmful effects of high sugar levels on your organs.
  • Rarely causes low blood sugar.
  • Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Downsides
  • 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
  • May take several weeks to lower blood sugar.
  • Can cause weight gain.
  • People with heart failure or history of bladder cancer shouldn't use this medicine.
  • Some people might get fluid accumulation (edema), from minor ankle swelling to fluid in lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
  • Raises the risk of bone fractures, especially for people who already have a risk for fractures.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$420.25
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Lowest price
$12.63
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Reviews
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175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle

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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
11possible side effects
  • Low blood sugar
    27%
  • Swelling
    27%
  • Colds and flu
    13%
  • Headache
    9%
  • Heart failure
    8%
  • Sinus infection
    6%
  • Back pain
    6%
  • Pain in arms and legs
    6%
  • Muscle pain
    5%
  • Sore throat
    5%
  • Chest pain
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • 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
  • Heart failure
    • Heart failure
  • Fluid buildup
  • Liver damage
    • Current liver problems
  • Bladder cancer
    • History of bladder cancer
  • Bone fracture
    • Women
  • Low blood sugar
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Learn more about Actos (pioglitazone)