Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition that affects levels of sugar in the blood. Linagliptin is a medicine that can help keep blood sugar down. It comes in a once-daily tablet form and works best along with a healthy diet and exercise.
Linagliptin is a chemical that acts directly on a particular enzyme in the body. This enzyme, called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), is part of the blood sugar regulation system. When the medication binds to the enzyme, it helps to indirectly increase the level of insulin in the blood.
This increased insulin removes excess sugar in the blood. Linagliptin inhibition of the DPP-4 enzyme also signals to the liver to release less sugar into circulation. Both of these mechanisms acting together keep blood sugar down and therefore control the symptoms of diabetes, which, if uncontrolled, could result in limb amputations and blindness. People who have Type 1 diabetes have problems making insulin, so linagliptin is not a suitable drug for that condition.
A typical dose of linagliptin is 5 milligrams per day for an adult. The medicine is in tablet form and can be taken once a day. A doctor can prescribe an effective dose for individual children. Blood sugar is affected by diet, so the medicine requires a healthy diet as an adjunct, and doctors also recommend exercise as a third concurrent treatment for the condition. Some patients who require insulin injections along with another blood sugar lowering medicine might be able to take linagliptin at the same time, if it is recommended by their doctor.
Possible side effects of linagliptin include nervous system issues such as increased anxiousness, depressed mood and bad dreams. Seizures and problems speaking can also occur, as can sweating or abnormally cold skin. Tiredness, vision issues and even coma can also be possible side effects of the drug. In rare occasions, jaundice, skin flaking or allergic reaction can happen as a result of taking the medication. Most often, however, when a patient experiences adverse effects from the medicine, it is in the form of cold-like symptoms in the throat and nose.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women might not be suitable candidates for linagliptin treatment. People who have Type 2 diabetes and who take other medications should inform their doctors prior to taking this medicine. This is especially important if they are taking the antibiotic rifampin or are on a regimen of another drug that can affect the level of sugar in the blood.
