Drug | Tablet

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: to improve glycaemic control in adults when diet and exercise alone are not enough; used when appropriate to treat with both linagliptin and metformin.

Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that increases incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP), leading to increased insulin release and reduced glucagon in a glucose-dependent manner. Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production and improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, lowering blood glucose.

Oral tablet. Take as prescribed, usually twice daily with meals to reduce stomach upset. Swallow whole with water; do not crush/chew. Maintain diet, exercise, and regular blood sugar monitoring.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, metallic taste, headache, nasopharyngitis, cough, hypoglycaemia (more likely with insulin/sulfonylureas), vitamin B12 deficiency (long-term)

Risk of lactic acidosis with metformin (rare but serious): seek urgent care for rapid breathing, severe weakness, abdominal pain, drowsiness. Avoid/use caution in kidney impairment; assess eGFR before and during therapy (contraindicated in severe renal impairment). Temporarily stop metformin around iodinated contrast imaging and major surgery as advised. Use caution in liver disease, alcoholism, dehydration, severe infection, hypoxia/heart failure. Pancreatitis has been reported with DPP-4 inhibitors—stop and seek care if severe persistent abdominal pain. Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions and bullous pemphigoid symptoms.

Alcohol (increases lactic acidosis risk), iodinated contrast media, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., topiramate, acetazolamide), cationic drugs affecting renal tubular secretion (e.g., cimetidine), insulin and sulfonylureas (increased hypoglycaemia risk), rifampicin and other strong P-gp/CYP3A4 inducers (may reduce linagliptin effect), corticosteroids and diuretics (may raise glucose), beta-blockers (may mask hypoglycaemia symptoms)

Store below 25°C, protect from moisture and light, keep in original blister pack, keep out of reach of children.

Jentadueto 2.5/500 Tablet, Linagliptin + Metformin 2.5/500 Tablet (generic), Trajenta Duo 2.5/850 Tablet, Galvus Met 50/500 Tablet, Janumet 50/500 Tablet