Linagliptin
Description
Linagliptin is an antidiabetic medicine used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It works by increasing the activity of hormones (chemical messengers) that help to lower the sugar levels in your blood.
Linagliptin shows side effects like headache, dizziness, cough, nausea, etc. This medicine can occasionally cause low blood sugar levels, the signs and symptoms being sweating, dizziness, shivering, feeling tired, etc. Always carry a sugar source (sweets or fruit juice) with you to counteract such effects. Also, eat your meals on time to avoid low blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor if these symptoms remain for a long time or become severe.
Linagliptin can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body. Do not skip doses or discontinue the treatment as it may cause an increase in your blood sugar levels.
Linagliptin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Linagliptin may interact with other medicines. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines, including herbs and supplements, to avoid any undesired effects. Also, inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions to make sure this medicine is safe for you.
Linagliptin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Linagliptin
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Fast heartbeat
- Headache
- Nausea
- Increased hunger
- Slurred speech
- Chills
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Low blood sugar levels
Uses of Linagliptin
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Linagliptin to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Linagliptin remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Linagliptin due to the increased risk of undesired effects.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Linagliptin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Animal studies indicate Linagliptin does not harm the developing foetus. However, due to the lack of safety data in humans, Linagliptin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Linagliptin may pass into breastmilk. Hence it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Linagliptin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which little or no insulin (substance required to break down sugar) is produced in your body. Linagliptin may not be effective in controlling your blood sugar level if you have type 1 Diabetes mellitus, also known as insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus. Insulin injections are required to treat such conditions.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Animal studies indicate Linagliptin does not harm the developing foetus. However, due to the lack of safety data in humans, Linagliptin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Linagliptin may pass into breastmilk. Hence it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a condition with decreased blood sugar levels. Linagliptin should be used with caution as it may cause hypoglycaemia in some cases. The risk is especially higher if used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines such as Metformin or Insulin. Hence, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking this medicine. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Skin disorders
Linagliptin may increase the risk of skin lesions (abnormal changes on the skin). Therefore, inform your doctor if you experience any skin rashes, blisters (fluid-filled bumps), or lesions.
Use in children
Linagliptin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Linagliptin. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take excess doses than that prescribed by your doctor. Seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose with Linagliptin for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Linagliptin due to the increased risk of undesired effects.
Interaction with Medicine
Prednisolone
Dexamethasone
Ramipril
Disease interactions
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the swelling of the pancreas, a gland that produces chemical substances which help in digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Linagliptin may increase the risk of pancreatitis and should be used with caution if you have a history of acute pancreatitis. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes that causes high amounts of acids in your blood. Linagliptin is not recommended for use if you have diabetic ketoacidosis as it may worsen your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Linagliptin may be taken with or without food. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Avoid the discontinuation of Linagliptin without consulting your doctor, as it may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. It may also increase the risk of other diabetes-related complications.
Your doctor may suggest that you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to ensure that your diabetes is under control. Also, do regular follow-up visits so that your doctor can evaluate your condition.
Maintain a proper diet and do regular exercise to get maximum benefits of the treatment.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Linagliptin works by increasing the release of insulin (a chemical substance that helps regulate blood sugar levels) into the blood, thus helping to decrease blood sugar levels.
It also increases the activity of a hormone (Glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps to control blood sugar levels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2022. Linagliptin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 14 Feb 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.