Drug & supplement interaction

Sweet Orange + Linagliptin

Linagliptin brand name: Tradjenta.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Sweet Orange has a moderate interaction with Linagliptin. Sweet orange juice seems to modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which might affect the blood levels of P-gp substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Sweet Orange and Linagliptin

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Linagliptin

Linagliptin falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES — the group Sweet Orange interacts with.

Sweet orange juice seems to modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which might affect the blood levels of P-gp substrates.
Animal and in vitro research suggest that orange juice extract inhibits drug efflux by P-gp, increasing absorption and levels of P-gp substrates. In contrast, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that drinking large amounts of sweet orange juice decreases absorption and levels of the P-gp substrate celiprolol. This suggests that orange juice actually induces drug efflux by P-gp or affects drug levels by another mechanism such as inhibiting the gut drug transporter called organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). Until more is known, sweet orange juice should be used cautiously in people taking P-gp substrates.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for Tradjenta (linagliptin): it's one of those medicines that rides through your gut using a transporter called P-glycoprotein. Sweet orange juice seems to nudge that transporter, but honestly the research points in two different directions. In humans, large amounts of orange juice actually lowered blood levels of a similar transporter-based drug, while lab studies showed the opposite. So we can't say with confidence which way linagliptin would shift.

The reassuring part: linagliptin is not a prodrug, and most of it is cleared unchanged, so this transporter effect tends to be small. If levels did drop a bit, your blood sugar could run slightly higher than expected. An orange or normal juice with breakfast is very unlikely to matter, but if you drink large amounts daily, mention it to your pharmacist or doctor and keep an eye on your blood sugar readings.

References
  1. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Munoz C, et al. Reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability by fruit juices. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;69:P21.
  2. Lilja JJ, Juntti-Patinen L, Neuvonen PJ. Orange juice substantially reduces the bioavailability of the beta-adrenergic-blocking agent celiprolol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004;75:184-90.
  3. Tian R, Koyabu N, Takanaga H, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice and orange juice on the intestinal efflux of P-glycoprotein substrates. Pharm Res 2002;19:802-9. PubMed
  4. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Yamada S, et al. Polymethoxylated flavones in orange juice are inhibitors of P-glycoprotein but not cytochrome P450 3A4. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000;293:230-6. DOI

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Sweet Orange Also Interacts With Other Medications

Sweet Orange has 48 major, 197 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Linagliptin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Sweet Orange

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Sweet Orange. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Linagliptin

This page covers Sweet Orange only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Linagliptin page lists 284 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acai (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 240 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Linagliptin page

“Linagliptin (Tradjenta) helps people with type 2 diabetes bring blood sugar down, so most of the 284 supplements and herbs on this page interact for one basic reason: they lower glucose too, and stacking them can drop you into hypoglycemia. I'd read this list with genuine care rather than a shrug.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Linagliptin interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Sweet Orange as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 678 real supplement products containing Sweet Orange, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Sweet Orange. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Linagliptin too, on top of Sweet Orange — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Sweet Orange and Linagliptin Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Sweet Orange
Top 25%

#269 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Linagliptin
Top half

#1,096 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Sweet Orange

What is Sweet Orange?

Sweet Orange
  • Vitamin C source
  • Digestive upset
  • Stress and relaxation (aromatherapy)
  • Cold and respiratory support
  • Antioxidant support

Sweet orange is a common citrus fruit that is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and is enjoyed as a food worldwide. Its peel and essential oil are used in aromatherapy and traditional remedies, but strong scientific proof for most medicinal claims is limited. The fruit and juice are safe for most people as food, while concentrated oils and extracts deserve more caution.

Read the full Sweet Orange monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Linagliptin

What Is Linagliptin Used For?

Brand name: Tradjenta

Tradjenta (linagliptin) is used to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is meant to be used together with healthy eating and regular exercise, not as a replacement for them.

Linagliptin is not for type 1 diabetes, and it has not been studied in people with a history of pancreatitis.

See full Linagliptin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Sweet Orange

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Sweet Orange — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

48Major
197Moderate
0Minor
2,584No known interaction
Major

48 interactions

Moderate

197 interactions

Showing 60 of 197 moderate interactions — see all 197 on the Sweet Orange page.

No interaction 2,584 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Sweet Orange and Linagliptin Together: Common Questions

Can you take Sweet Orange with Linagliptin?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Sweet Orange and Linagliptin interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Linagliptin and Sweet Orange?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.