Brand Name of Linagliptin
The brand name of linagliptin (a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) is TRADJENTA. 1
Details About Linagliptin
- Linagliptin (TRADJENTA) is an oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that works by inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, which degrades incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP 1
- In some countries outside the United States, linagliptin is also marketed under other brand names including Trajenta, Trazenta, and Trayenta 2
- Linagliptin is available as a 5 mg oral tablet taken once daily, making it the first and only DPP-4 inhibitor approved as a single-strength once-daily dose 3
- A fixed-dose combination of linagliptin/metformin is also available under the brand name Jentadueto 4
Unique Pharmacological Properties
- Unlike other DPP-4 inhibitors, linagliptin has minimal renal excretion (only about 5% of the dose) and is primarily eliminated via the enterohepatic system (80%) 5, 6
- Due to its unique elimination pathway, linagliptin does not require dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment of any degree, making it particularly useful for diabetic patients with kidney disease 7, 4
- Linagliptin has a long terminal half-life (>100 hours) but its accumulation half-life is much shorter (approximately 10 hours), allowing for rapid attainment of steady state 3
Clinical Efficacy and Safety
- Linagliptin reduces HbA1c by approximately 0.4% to 0.9% when used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic medications 7, 8
- The Cardiovascular and Renal Microvascular Outcome Study with Linagliptin (CARMELINA) demonstrated the cardiovascular safety of linagliptin 8
- The Cardiovascular Outcome Study of Linagliptin Versus Glimepiride in Type 2 Diabetes (CAROLINA) trial showed no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events between linagliptin and glimepiride 8
- Linagliptin has a low risk of hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy and is generally weight-neutral 7, 4
- Common side effects include nasopharyngitis, with rare reports of pancreatitis and musculoskeletal side effects 7, 6
Use in Special Populations
- Linagliptin can be used without dose adjustment in elderly patients, as no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between geriatric patients and younger adults 1
- Unlike saxagliptin and alogliptin (other DPP-4 inhibitors), linagliptin has not been associated with increased risk of heart failure hospitalization 8, 7
- Linagliptin may be particularly useful in older adults with mild hyperglycemia or high risk of hypoglycemia, or when metformin is contraindicated 8