Linagliptin and metformin hydrochloride

Mechanism of action

DPP-4 inhibitor + biguanide (fixed-dose combination)

In plain language

Combines two diabetes medicines in one tablet: linagliptin, which helps the body release more of its own insulin after meals, and metformin, which tells the liver to release less sugar into the blood and helps the body use insulin more effectively.

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ClinicalPlain language

How it works

JENTADUETO combines linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin hydrochloride, a biguanide, in a single tablet. Per the FDA label, linagliptin inhibits DPP-4, the enzyme that degrades the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP, increasing their concentrations and stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release while lowering glucagon secretion. Metformin acts through a separate pathway: it decreases hepatic glucose production, reduces intestinal glucose absorption, and improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, without stimulating insulin secretion itself. The two mechanisms are complementary rather than overlapping, which is the basis for combining them in one product.

Therapeutic applications

JENTADUETO is a combination of linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin hydrochloride, a biguanide, FDA-indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Because it contains metformin, JENTADUETO carries a boxed warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but serious risk of metformin-containing products.

Class

Fixed-dose combination

Therapeutic area

Metabolic / Diabetes

Source

FDA label (DailyMed) ↗