Two medicines, side by side
Alogliptin vs linagliptin
Alogliptin and linagliptin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of alogliptin since 2013 and of linagliptin since 2011. Pharmacies paid $4.96 per alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet and $16.80 per Tradjenta 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Alogliptin, “Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small …”; Linagliptin, “Linagliptin is an inhibitor of DPP-4, an enzyme that degrades the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).”
Check it at the source: the alogliptin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 28, 2025); the linagliptin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 21, 2025).
Highlights of the alogliptin record
Alogliptin (Nesina) · label of February 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsNESINA ® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. NESINA is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: Should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 25, 2013
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the linagliptin record
Linagliptin (Tradjenta) · label of March 21, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTRADJENTA is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 2, 2011
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $16.80 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alogliptin label of February 28, 2025, Linagliptin label of March 21, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alogliptin and linagliptin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Alogliptin, “Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small …”; Linagliptin, “Linagliptin is an inhibitor of DPP-4, an enzyme that degrades the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).”
Both are in FDA's class dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors.
Half-life, in each label's words: Alogliptin, “Elimination NESINA was eliminated with a mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 21 hours.”; Linagliptin, “Plasma concentrations of linagliptin decline in at least a biphasic manner with a long terminal half-life (>100 hours) …”
Generics: alogliptin none approved; linagliptin since 2021 (Drugs@FDA).
| Alogliptin | Linagliptin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor | Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small intestine in response to meals. | Linagliptin is an inhibitor of DPP-4, an enzyme that degrades the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination NESINA was eliminated with a mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 21 hours. | Plasma concentrations of linagliptin decline in at least a biphasic manner with a long terminal half-life (>100 hours), related to the saturable binding of linagliptin to DPP-4. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 25, 2013 | May 2, 2011 |
| First generic approved | none | August 31, 2021 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $4.96 per tablet (Alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet) | $16.80 per tablet (Tradjenta 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +9% | no change |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,409 | 18,132 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to alogliptin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions