What is Tradjenta (Linagliptin)?
Tradjenta or linagliptin is an oral diabetes drug which helps to improve blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. This medication works by regulating the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas after eating. When we eat, glucose travels to the blood where it is absorbed by the body cells. Glucose is a form sugar, which is one of the main source of fuel. People who have type 2 diabetes cannot produce enough insulin on their own. Without insulin, glucose cannot get into the body cells, which leads to a build up of glucose in the bloodstream. This is where tradjenta comes in. When you take linagliptin, it works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin, while stimulating the liver to secrete less glucose. Hence it helps to control high blood sugar levels, therefore, reducing the risk of having complications such as nerve problems, kidney damage, blindness or loss of limbs.
What is Tradjenta used for?
Tradjenta is a prescription drug that is used together with exercise and diet to lower high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes refers to a medication condition where your body cannot make enough insulin or use it properly. The drug works by increasing the production of the natural hormone called incretins. Incretin hormones are usually released after we eat and helps to control blood sugar levels by encouraging insulin secretion by the beta cells. In case there is too much sugar in the blood, this medication signals the liver to stop sugar production. This will help to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Tradjenta should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis.
