Linagliptin (Tradjenta), another incretin therapy for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, has been approved by the FDA. Linagliptin is to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to control the sugar levels in adults with diabetes.
The new dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor has been studied as monotherapy or as an add-on to other diabetic medications in a series of eight clinical trials but it has not yet been assessed in combination with insulin. All studies showed an improvement in diabetic control (HbA1c) compared with placebo.
Unlike the other approved DPP-4 inhibitors sitagliptin (Januvia) and saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin is not excreted through the kidneys, so it may suit patients with renal problems better. However, linagliptin is contraindicated in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.
