Tradjenta alternatives: What can I take instead of Tradjenta?

In this article:

• Tradjenta alternatives
• Januvia
• Metformin ER
• Ozempic
• Mounjaro
• Jardiance
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch
• Choosing the right path

In this article

• Tradjenta alternatives
• Januvia
• Metformin ER
• Ozempic
• Mounjaro
• Jardiance
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch
• Choosing the right path

An oral tablet, taken once daily, with minimal side effects, Tradjenta is an effective treatment to lower blood sugar levels in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite all of those glowing characteristics, it is not unusual to need to find an alternative to prescription Tradjenta. The price may be too high, considering there is no generic linagliptin available yet, or your insurance formulary does not cover it. Maybe it is not potent enough to bring blood glucose levels under control. Whatever the reason, you will be happy to know that plenty of alternatives are available, and you are in the right place to read about them.

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What can I take instead of Tradjenta?

Tradjenta belongs to the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitor) family of drugs for diabetes. They all increase the levels of incretin hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), thereby increasing insulin and decreasing glucagon levels. Switching to a different DPP-4 inhibitor may allow you to get the same glucose-lowering effects but at a better price.

Fortunately, a plethora of different drug classes provide effective Type 2 diabetes therapy. GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, and Victoza, are options with growing popularity. Another new and popular pick, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 inhibitors), could be a better option, and Jardiance, Farxiga, and Invokana are some of the brand names in the group. Biguanides, namely metformin, have remained a foundational treatment for years. Also long-tenured, sulfonylureas, like glimepiride and glipizide, and Actos, a thiazolidinedione, continue to play a role in Type 2 diabetes management. Insulins are a well-known option too. 

Top 5 Tradjenta alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Tradjenta.

1. Januvia

As a fellow DPP-4 inhibitor, Januvia is closely related to Tradjenta. They have similar efficacy and side effects, including nasal or throat irritation and a warning about pancreatitis risk. Unlike Tradjenta, Januvia must be dosed differently for patients with kidney function impairment. The only reason to favor Januvia over Tradjenta is usually insurance coverage and lower copays due to the availability of sitagliptin, the generic form of Januvia.

2. Metformin ER

Metformin, regular and extended release, is often the first-line medication for Type 2 diabetes. Its long history and proven benefits for lowering blood sugar and slowing disease progression have kept it in a favored status for years. Being relatively cheap as a generic is a bonus. It is also conveniently manufactured in combination tablets with numerous other anti-diabetic drugs, including linagliptin in the form of Jentadueto XR.

The downfall of metformin is most often its gastrointestinal side effects, like diarrhea and nausea. The extended-release version has less risk of these adverse reactions, but it does not completely avoid them. Nonetheless, it is typically a medication that must be tried first before other options are approved by insurance plans utilizing step-therapy in their prior authorization process.

3. Ozempic

Although it gained notoriety for off-label use in assisting with weight loss, Ozempic is a well-proven option for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the use that it actually has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for. The GLP-1 agonist has a similar incretin-based mechanism as Tradjenta but is more potent and long-lasting. As a result, Ozempic is favored when needing help with glucose control. 

Keep in mind that Ozempic is a weekly injection rather than an oral pill. For those who are injection-averse, Rybelus has the same active ingredient, semaglutide, in a pill form taken daily. Either form carries a sizable price tag. Neither semaglutide product nor any GLP-1 agonist, for that matter, should be used alongside Tradjenta or other DPP-4 inhibitors due to their overlapping mechanisms of action.

4. Mounjaro

Coupling GLP-1 agonist activity with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor activity gives Mounjaro a dual action in combating Type 2 diabetes. The double incretin mechanism may also explain why it tends to lead to more weight loss than Ozempic. By themselves, the GLP-1/GIP agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause hypoglycemia (excessively low blood sugars) unless they are combined with other diabetes meds like insulins or sulfonylureas. Once again, the price and injectable format could be seen as detractors to Mounjaro compared to Tradjenta.

5. Jardiance

Like GLP-1 agonists, the SGLT-2 inhibitors have gained favor in recent years due to their additional benefits. In the case of SGLT-2 inhibitors, like Jardiance, they have clinical study data demonstrating better kidney and heart disease outcomes. Achieving this and controlling blood sugar in the setting of diabetes can be a compelling reason to choose them over a DPP-4 inhibitor. A heightened risk of urinary tract infection and genitourinary yeast infection is an unfortunate feature of Jardiance and other members of the drug class that could dissuade you.

Natural alternatives to Tradjenta

Getting to the goal with Type 2 diabetes mellitus management often requires multiple measures. A healthy diet and individualized exercise regimen are essential for all. Oftentimes, multiple diabetes medications may be necessary. Dietary supplements and herbal remedies may be of interest, but one’s healthcare provider should vet them to ensure they are both effective and safe. Two prime examples are cinnamon and fiber supplements. They both have evidence from clinical studies showing positive results without untoward risk.

How to switch to a Tradjenta alternative

Before making a change, get the medical advice of your doctor. Explain your concerns with Tradjenta and why you are interested in switching. The two of you can review the other options, highlighting the pros and cons of each. Ultimately, your insurance’s drug formulary may have a large say in what options are available. If Tradjenta’s price is a factor, get a SingleCare discount card and show it to your pharmacist to see your savings on Tradjenta and alternatives. Changing from Tradjenta requires careful consideration and planning, but if it is agreed that it is best to move on, the drug does not need to be weaned off.

Choosing the right path for diabetes treatment

There is a lot to consider when choosing the optimal diabetes treatment strategy. Drug side effects and costs must be considered, as well as glucose-lowering efficacy and additional benefits. The other medications on your list and health conditions in your past could impact choosing the right regimen, too. As a result, you should lean on your team of healthcare professionals in the doctor’s office and pharmacy to ensure your diabetes treatment is optimized.