Medically reviewed: 7 September 2026 · Last updated: 7 September 2026
A simple patient guide to India’s newly approved once-weekly diabetes tablet, what it does, how to take it, and what to watch for.
Quick Answer
- What It Is: A once-weekly oral tablet for type 2 diabetes in adults.
- Drug Class: DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) inhibitor.
- Usual Adult Dose: 100mg once a week. Lower 50mg and 25mg strengths exist for people with kidney problems.
- Brand in India: Trelaglip by Zuventus Healthcare, approved by CDSCO in December 2024.
- Prescription Status: Available only with a valid doctor’s prescription.
What Is Trelagliptin?
Trelagliptin is an oral medicine for type 2 diabetes from the DPP-4 inhibitor family. Takeda, a Japanese company, developed it and launched it in Japan in 2015 under the name Zafatek, making it the world’s first once-weekly tablet in this class. India approved trelagliptin in December 2024 through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and Zuventus Healthcare brought it to Indian pharmacies as Trelaglip.
The medicine has never been approved in the United States or Europe. Takeda stopped its western development for cost reasons, so approval was never sought in those markets.
Good to Know: Absence from American pharmacies does not mean the drug failed testing. It has been prescribed in Japan since 2015, and Indian approval came after a local clinical trial.
What Is Trelagliptin 100mg Used For?
The main trelagliptin 100mg uses centre on adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar stays high despite diet and exercise. Doctors may prescribe it alone or alongside other diabetes medicines such as metformin, depending on your overall health. The tablet helps lower HbA1c, which is the three-month average blood sugar reading.
It is not meant for type 1 diabetes or for a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Children have not been studied, so it remains an adult-only medicine for now.
How Does Trelagliptin Work?
After a meal, your gut releases hormones called incretins that signal the pancreas to release insulin. An enzyme named DPP-4 breaks these hormones down quickly. Trelagliptin blocks that enzyme, so the incretin signal lasts longer and insulin comes out when blood sugar rises. Because this action depends on glucose levels, the medicine on its own rarely pushes sugar too low. Its long-acting structure keeps working across the full week, which is what allows a single weekly dose.
How to Take Trelagliptin 100mg
For most adults, the label sets the usual dose at one 100mg tablet on the same day every week, with or without food. Pick a day you will not forget, say every Sunday with breakfast, and stick to it. Trelaglip also comes in 50mg and 25mg strengths, because slower kidneys clear the medicine more slowly, and your doctor chooses the strength based on your kidney function. Never change the dose on your own. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Doctors sometimes pair it with metformin or insulin for stronger blood sugar control.
If You Miss a Dose
The official guidance is simple: take only the missed tablet as soon as you notice, then take your next doses on the originally scheduled day. Do not take two tablets together to catch up. If you are ever unsure, a quick call to your doctor or chemist settles it.
Patient Tip: A weekly phone alarm with the medicine name in it can make your dose day easier to remember.
Trelagliptin Side Effects
Clinical studies have generally found trelagliptin to be well tolerated, but side effects can still occur. It helps to know what is common and what is serious.
Common Side Effects
- Cold-like Symptoms: A blocked or runny nose and a mild sore throat.
- Headache: Usually mild and short-lived.
- Stomach Upset: Nausea or loose motions in the first weeks.
- Low Blood Sugar: Mainly when combined with insulin or sulfonylurea tablets.
Serious Side Effects
Rarely, medicines in the DPP-4 inhibitor family have been linked with pancreas inflammation, severe joint pain, and blistering skin reactions. These are class-level warnings drawn from the whole drug family, not common findings from this medicine’s own trials, but they still deserve quick medical attention rather than a wait-and-watch approach.
When to Call Your Doctor
Get medical help immediately if you notice severe stomach pain spreading to the back, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, a widespread skin rash or blisters, or shakiness and confusion that could mean very low blood sugar.
Who Should Not Take Trelagliptin
Tell your doctor about your full medical history before starting. This medicine may not suit everyone on the list below.
- Type 1 Diabetes: The tablet does not replace insulin and is not designed for this condition.
- Past Allergy: Anyone who reacted badly to trelagliptin or another DPP-4 inhibitor before.
- Kidney Disease: Moderate to severe kidney problems usually call for a lower dose set by the doctor.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Safety data in these groups is limited, so specialist advice comes first.
- History of Pancreatitis: Extra caution and closer monitoring are needed.
Note: This list is a starting point, not a complete one. Share every medicine and supplement you take with your doctor.
Trelagliptin vs Daily DPP-4 Tablets
India already has daily DPP-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin and vildagliptin, so where does a weekly tablet fit? Convenience is the real difference. In a manufacturer-run Indian study of 240 adults over 16 weeks, once-weekly trelagliptin lowered HbA1c by 1.25% in people starting above 8%, while twice-daily vildagliptin managed 1.15%. Results varied between participants, and not everyone saw the same change. The bigger practical difference is the routine itself: one tablet a week against a twice-daily schedule. If you are tracking your readings alongside treatment, a blood sugar chart by age can help you understand where your readings fall.
| Feature | Trelagliptin | Sitagliptin | Vildagliptin |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Often | Once a week | Once a day | Twice a day |
| Tablets per Month | 4 to 5 | About 30 | About 60 |
| Drug Class | DPP-4 inhibitor | DPP-4 inhibitor | DPP-4 inhibitor |
| Best Suited When | Daily doses keep getting missed | A daily routine works fine | Twice-daily routine is manageable |
Keep in Mind: The best tablet is the one you actually remember to take. Whichever day your doctor sets, treat it as fixed, and tell them honestly if doses still keep slipping.
Trelagliptin Brands and Price in India
Several brands have reached Indian pharmacies, and more companies are in the pipeline.
| Brand | Company | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Trelaglip | Zuventus Healthcare | Launched first, after CDSCO approval in December 2024 |
| Onetrela | Alkem Laboratories | Available on major pharmacy platforms |
| Trelavel | Akumentis Healthcare | Listed on pharmacy platforms |
| Not yet named | Hetero Labs | In the regulatory pipeline as of 2026 |
Trelagliptin Price in India
Online pharmacy listings now give a fair picture: as of September 2026, a strip of 4 once-weekly 100mg tablets, which covers about a month, carries an MRP of roughly ₹394 to ₹567 depending on the brand, with discounts often bringing the paid price lower. Ask your local chemist for the current rate of Trelaglip 100mg, or compare listed prices for diabetes medicines on established online pharmacies before you buy.
Key Takeaways
- Trelagliptin 100mg Uses: One weekly tablet to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Fix a Day: Same day every week, and a simple reminder helps the habit stick.
- Doctor Sets the Dose: Kidney health can change the strength you need, so never self-adjust.
- Know the Red Flags: Severe stomach pain, breathing trouble, or blistering rash means urgent care.
- Fewer Doses, Fewer Misses: Adherence is the quiet reason weekly dosing helps real-world control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trelagliptin 100mg used for?
Trelagliptin 100mg treats type 2 diabetes in adults. It lowers blood sugar and HbA1c, either alone or with other diabetes medicines your doctor prescribes.
How often do you take trelagliptin?
Once a week, on the same day each week. That single tablet keeps working for the full seven days.
What are the common side effects of trelagliptin?
Cold-like symptoms, headache, and mild stomach upset are the usual complaints. Low blood sugar can occur when it is combined with insulin or sulfonylurea tablets.
Can trelagliptin be taken with metformin?
Yes, doctors often pair the two. Metformin handles the daily base control while the weekly tablet adds extra support. Follow the exact combination your doctor sets.
What is the brand name of trelagliptin in India?
Trelaglip by Zuventus Healthcare came first, after the molecule’s initial CDSCO approval in December 2024. Other brands such as Onetrela by Alkem have since entered.
What is the price of trelagliptin in India?
A month’s strip of 4 once-weekly 100mg tablets is listed at an MRP of roughly ₹394 to ₹567 depending on the brand. Rates differ between pharmacies and cities, so compare before you buy.
Who should not take trelagliptin?
Anyone with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, a previous allergy to DPP-4 inhibitors, or significant kidney disease without dose adjustment. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need specialist advice first.
Is trelagliptin approved in the US?
No. Takeda stopped pursuing American and European approval for cost reasons, so the medicine is sold mainly in Japan and now India.
References
- Introducing a novel once-weekly dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor: trelagliptin in India. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 2025.
- Efficacy and safety of once-weekly trelagliptin as compared to twice-daily vildagliptin in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes. Cureus, 2025.
- Safety and efficacy of once weekly dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor trelagliptin in type-2 diabetes: a meta-analysis. Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews, 2022.
- Trelagliptin: first global approval. Drugs, 2015.
- Zafatek (trelagliptin) review report. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan, 2019.
- SEC (Endocrinology and Metabolism) meeting recommendations. CDSCO, 23 March 2026.
- Trelagliptin Tablets 100 mg product page. Zuventus Healthcare, 2025.
Written by
Iraphan Khan, BSN, RN, D.Pharm, Public Health Researcher
Founder of RealMedVision, writing patient-focused health content based on clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed research.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Praveen Verma, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Pathologist and Clinical Laboratory Specialist
Dr Himanshu Morya, MBBS, Medical Educator
Medical Disclaimer
This page is published for education and awareness. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Speak to a qualified doctor about your own health and medicines. Never start, stop or change a diabetes medicine without medical advice.