Medicines containing linagliptin, to be dispensed, require presentation of a limited repeatable medical prescription or RRL (drugs that can be sold to the public only on prescription from hospitals or specialists). Their cost is quite high, fortunately, being classified as class A drugs, they can be dispensed at the expense of the National Health System (SSN).
Examples of Linagliptin-containing Medicines
- Glyxambi® (in combination with empagliflozin)
- Jentadueto® (in combination with metformin)
- Trajenta®
Note: In this article we will consider indications, warnings, interactions, side effects, use in pregnancy and during lactation and contraindications of linagliptin alone and not linagliptin in combination with other antidiabetics.
type 2 in patients in whom diet, exercise and possible weight reduction alone are not sufficient to control the disease.
The active substance in question is also indicated in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients whose disease is not adequately controlled by other antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin or sulphonylureas.
Linagliptin can be used either alone or in combination with other oral antidiabetics - such as metformin, sulphonylureas (eg, glimepiride, glipizide, etc.), empagliflozin - or with insulin.
Please Note
Dietary treatment and physical activity must NOT be interrupted even when you are taking antidiabetic drugs. In fact, the latter must be combined with a normoglycemic diet and regular exercise and not be used as an alternative to them.
;If, however, the following symptoms appear during treatment with linagliptin, the doctor should be alerted immediately:
- Persistent and severe abdominal pain, with or without nausea and vomiting, as this could be a sign of pancreatitis.
- Blistering of the skin, as this may indicate bullous pemphigoid.
Linagliptin alone is unlikely to cause hypoglycemia. However, when combined with other antidiabetic drugs, the risk of such an occurrence increases.
Please Note
- The use of linagliptin in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age is not recommended.
- Symptoms of hypoglycaemia which may occur when linagliptin is taken concomitantly with other antidiabetic medicines can adversely affect the ability to drive and use machines.
In any case, you must tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently been taking, any type of medication or product - even if not listed above - including non-prescription drugs (SOP), over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal and phytotherapeutic products and homeopathic products.
experiencing undesirable effects that differ in type and intensity, or not showing them at all.
Some side effects are particularly serious and require immediate discontinuation of treatment and immediate medical attention; they consist of:
- Shaking, sweating, anxiety, blurred vision, tingling lips, paleness, change of mood or confusion, as these may be signs of hypoglycemia;
- Stomach pain which may extend to the back, severe and persistent, which may be accompanied by nausea and / or vomiting, as this may indicate pancreatitis;
- Wheezing and shortness of breath, skin rashes and hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat resulting in difficulty breathing and swallowing, as these are typical symptoms of allergic reactions.
Other side effects that may occur during treatment with linagliptin, particularly when taken with other antidiabetic drugs, include:
- Increased levels of lipase in the blood;
- Nasopharyngitis;
- Cough;
- Hypersensitivity reactions;
- Increased levels of the enzyme amylase in the blood;
- Pancreatitis;
- Constipation;
- Bullous pemphigoid.
Overdose
In case of linagliptin overdose - whether it is known or suspected - it is advisable to contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital, taking care to take the package of the medicine taken with you.
similar) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These are hormones that are produced in the intestine and are involved in glucose homeostasis. More precisely, they:
- They induce the increase of the biosynthesis of insulin, therefore of its secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas;
- They inhibit the secretion of glucagon;
- They reduce the production of glucose in the liver.
Through the inhibition of the enzyme suitable for the degradation of incretins, therefore, linagliptin is capable of increasing their bioavailability and promoting glycemic control through a glucose-dependent mechanism.
. The usual dosage is 5 mg of linagliptin once a day.
Forgetfulness of a dose
If you forget to take linagliptin, the active substance should be taken as soon as possible. If the forgotten dose is realized when the next dose is to be taken, the missed dose should be skipped and the next one taken as usual. DO NOT take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
. For this reason, the onset of possible harm to the baby cannot be ruled out. The doctor must then decide whether it is better for the patient to stop breastfeeding and continue taking linagliptin, or whether to modify the antidiabetic therapy.
