Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin may improve time in range in T2D

Low confidence

high bias

Last updated May 30, 2026

Key takeaway:

In a 12-week observational cohort, dapagliflozin plus linagliptin was linked to better time in range and metabolic markers than either drug alone.

Study at a glance

What was studied

Dapagliflozin, linagliptin, and their combination in T2D with hypertension.

Study type

Cohort

duration

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Intervention

Dapagliflozin, DPP-4 inhibitors, Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy

Outcomes

Time in range, HbA1c, Fasting glucose, Systolic blood pressure, Triglycerides, Liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio, Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, Estimated glomerular filtration rate

Funding

Non-industry sponsored

Main effects

Time in range ↑ more with dapagliflozin plus linagliptin than with monotherapy or standard care

HbA1c and fasting glucose ↓ more in the combination group

Blood pressure, triglycerides, liver steatosis marker, UACR, and eGFR moved in favorable directions

Evidence Summary

Intervention	Outcome	Measured Change	Study Effect
Dapagliflozin (Medications)	Fasting glucose (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin (Medications)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin (Medications)	Time in range (Glycemic Control)	Increase	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Estimated glomerular filtration rate (Clinical Outcomes)	Increase	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Fasting glucose (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio (Metabolic Health)	Increase	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Systolic blood pressure (Metabolic Health)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Time in range (Glycemic Control)	Increase	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Triglycerides (Metabolic Health)	Decrease	Mixed
Dapagliflozin plus linagliptin combination therapy (Medications)	Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (Clinical Outcomes)	Decrease	Mixed
DPP-4 inhibitors (Medications)	Fasting glucose (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
DPP-4 inhibitors (Medications)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
DPP-4 inhibitors (Medications)	Time in range (Glycemic Control)	Increase	Mixed

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Evidence Suggest

The study enrolled 136 participants, with 34 in each of four treatment groups.
The primary endpoint was time in range measured by continuous glucose monitoring after 12 weeks.
Combination therapy reached 94.86% TIR compared with about 80% in monotherapy groups and 81.44% in control.

Who this applies to

Adults aged 40 to 70 years with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Keep in Mind

This was not a randomized trial.

Between the Lines

Treatment allocation was based on clinical judgment and patient characteristics, not randomization.
The study was single-center and lasted only 12 weeks.
Safety monitoring details were limited in the available excerpts and discussion.
The design supports associations but cannot establish causality.

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Journal Reference

Li W, Li R, Li S, et al. Dapagliflozin and linagliptin combination therapy improves time in range and reverses hepatic steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026;17:1802641. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1802641