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What Is Linagliptin?
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.
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Discussion Comments
@KaBoom - I can understand why your friend feels that way. Chronic illnesses can definitely be difficult to handle and result in some unpleasant feelings.
However, diabetes isn't a contest. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can kill you. Both types can also have a huge impact on someones quality of life. Even if type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle factors, I'm glad there is an easy treatment for it. I just wish the treatment for type 1 diabetes was as easy!
I have a friend who has type 1 diabetes and he is extremely envious of people who can control their sugar levels with just a pill! He's had to give himself insulin injections since he was a little kid.
I've actually noticed this kind of attitude in other type 1 diabetics too and I see where they're coming from. Since type 2 diabetes is largely caused by lifestyle factors, and type 1 diabetes is something you are born with it seems unfair that it's so much easier to treat type 2 diabetes!
Diabetes does run in my family, so I try very hard to keep my weight down and exercise on a regular basis. Even though I have a family history of diabetes, I know that watching my diet can play a big role in helping my blood sugar levels to stay normal.
I hope to avoid any kind of diabetes medication for as long as possible. My brother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when his blood sugar level was consistently higher than normal.
He currently takes an oral medication to keep his levels under control, but he was not very good about keeping his weight down and never exercised.
My sister has been struggling with diabetes for 10 years. During that time she has tried different medications to help keep her diabetes under control.
For some reason she was not able to take Linagliptin because she had a strange reaction to it. There are many oral medications available to help control blood sugars, so she was able to find another one that worked well for her. She has been able to keep her blood sugar levels low enough that she has not had to go on insulin shots.
There are many choices of medications for patients with diabetes. By working closely with your doctor and letting him know of any strange reactions, you can find one that will work best for you.
When my dad was first diagnosed with diabetes he tried to keep his blood sugar under control with diet and exercise. There are many people who can change their diet with type 2 diabetes and avoid medication.
This worked for a while with my dad, but eventually he got to the point where he had to begin medication. His doctor prescribed Linagliptin for him.
This has worked for him without having any side effects and he has been able to keep his blood sugar levels down. He still watches his diet closely and tries to exercise as much as possible to keep his diabetes from getting worse.
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