Linagliptin
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes that is unique in its class because it is primarily eliminated via the bile and gut rather than the kidneys. This means no dose adjustment is required in renal impairment, making it particularly useful in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes that is unique in its class because it is primarily eliminated via the bile and gut rather than the kidneys. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 5 mg once daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: lowers hba1c by 0.5–0.7%, no dose adjustment needed for renal or hepatic impairment, weight neutral. 10 sources indexed (2019–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Selectively inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), preventing degradation of incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP. This leads to glucose-dependent increase in insulin secretion and decrease in glucagon levels, resulting in improved glycemic control without glucose-independent insulin stimulation.8
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food at any time of day.10
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nasopharyngitis
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Cough
- Pancreatitis (rare)
- Arthralgia
- Back pain
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
3- 1Renoprotective Action of Linagliptin Among Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDPanda PS, Mohapatra I, Padhee S et al. · Cureus · 2025
Panda PS, Mohapatra I, Padhee S et al.. Renoprotective Action of Linagliptin Among Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2025
- 2Safety of Linagliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical TrialsPMIDAljohani H, Alrubaish FS, Alghamdi WM et al. · Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science · 2024
Aljohani H, Alrubaish FS, Alghamdi WM et al.. Safety of Linagliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science. 2024
- 3The effectiveness and safety of linagliptin within elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis and systematic reviewPMIDWang MJ, Liu JL, Wang N et al. · Minerva endocrinology · 2024
Wang MJ, Liu JL, Wang N et al.. The effectiveness and safety of linagliptin within elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Minerva endocrinology. 2024
Randomized controlled trials
2- 4Efficacy and safety of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin versus placebo and the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin versus placebo in young people with type 2 diabetes (DINAMO): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel group, phase 3 trialPMIDLaffel LM, Danne T, Klingensmith GJ et al. · The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · 2023
Laffel LM, Danne T, Klingensmith GJ et al.. Efficacy and safety of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin versus placebo and the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin versus placebo in young people with type 2 diabetes (DINAMO): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel group, phase 3 trial. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology. 2023
- 5Effect of Linagliptin vs Glimepiride on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The CAROLINA Randomized Clinical TrialPMIDRosenstock J, Kahn SE, Johansen OE et al. · JAMA · 2019
Rosenstock J, Kahn SE, Johansen OE et al.. Effect of Linagliptin vs Glimepiride on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The CAROLINA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019
Reference material
5- 6Rosenstock J et al. Effect of linagliptin vs placebo on major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular and renal risk (CARMELINA). JAMA. 2019;321(1):69-79.Source linkedPMID
- 7Del Prato S et al. Efficacy and safety of linagliptin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and poor glycemic control: pooled analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2013;15(11):1046-1055.Source linkedPMID
- 8Ortiz-Seller A et al. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Diabetes Complications. 2026.Source linkedPMID
- 9Gomes GKA, de Camargos Ramos AI, de Sousa CT et al.. Linagliptin safety profile: A systematic review. Primary care diabetes. 2018Source linkedPMID
- 10Hong JH, Kim MJ, Min KW et al.. Efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of dapagliflozin and linagliptin (AJU-A51) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase III study. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2025Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Linagliptin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Linagliptin?
Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes that is unique in its class because it is primarily eliminated via the bile and gut rather than the kidneys. This means no dose adjustment is required in renal impairment, making it particularly useful in patients with chronic kidney disease.
What is Linagliptin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Linagliptin include: Lowers HbA1c by 0.5–0.7%; No dose adjustment needed for renal or hepatic impairment; Weight neutral; Low hypoglycemia risk as monotherapy; Once-daily dosing. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Linagliptin?
A typical adult dose of Linagliptin is 5 mg once daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Linagliptin?
Reported side effects include nasopharyngitis, hypersensitivity reactions, cough, pancreatitis (rare), arthralgia, back pain. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Linagliptin?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Linagliptin in NutriStack.
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