Vildagliptin
About Vildagliptin
Vildagliptin is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood to become too high. It's a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life. You may need to adjust your diet, take medication, and undergo regular checkups to lead a normal life.
Vildagliptin contains linagliptin, which works by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme that destroys the hormone incretin (the enzyme which helps produce more insulin only when required and reduces the liver's blood sugar level when not needed).
Not everyone who is taking Vildagliptin will get these side effects. The most common side effects of Vildagliptin are low blood glucose levels, nasopharyngitis (infection of nose and throat with the common cold), and headache. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult the doctor.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens (if your blood sugar is too high or too low).
Do not take Vildagliptin if you are allergic to any of its components. Vildagliptin should not be stopped even if you feel better, without consulting your doctor as your sugar level keeps changing. If you stop taking Vildagliptin abruptly, it may increase your sugar levels which could further increase the risk of eyesight loss, kidney damage, and nerve damage. Vildagliptin should not be taken if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus or severe kidney or liver disease. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, limb loss, and sexual dysfunction. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Uses of Vildagliptin
Medicinal Benefits
- Vildagliptin increases insulin production by the pancreas and decreases glucagon production by the liver. Thus, it helps to control blood sugar levels and prevent further complications due to diabetes.
- Proper diet and regular exercise along with Vildagliptin, will give better results.
- Vildagliptin should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes and for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Vildagliptin plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels and prevents serious complications of diabetes like eyesight loss, kidney, nerve damage, diabetic foot ulcer and delayed wound healing.
Directions for Use
• Vildagliptin can be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. • Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety. • Swallow Vildagliptin as a whole with a glass of water. • Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Vildagliptin
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Low blood sugar levels
- Trembling/Shaking
Drug Warnings
- Vildagliptin should not be taken if you are allergic to Vildagliptin or any of its ingredients. Prolonged intake of Vildagliptin may cause acute pancreatitis (swollen pancreas) and critical kidney problems.
- Vildagliptin should not be stopped even if you feel better, without consulting your doctor as your sugar level keeps changing.
- Severe allergic reactions might occur in some patients taking Vildagliptin, like anaphylaxis, angioedema (swelling under the skin), and exfoliative skin conditions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
- Please inform your doctor if you have a history of heart disease.
- Patients taking digoxin (a heart medicine) with Vildagliptin should be closely monitored, as severe drug interactions have been observed.
- Vildagliptin should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes and for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Vildagliptin.
- It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as when you have a fever, infection, injury, or surgery).
- Vildagliptin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
- Be alert for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, fast heartbeat, shivering, intense thirst, or frequent urination.
- If you experience any of these symptoms, take honey or sugar candies right away.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Vildagliptin may have interaction with antipsychotics (aripiprazole, clozapine), corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone), medicines used to treat glaucoma (acetazolamide), cardiac stimulant (dopamine), thyroid medicines (levothyroxine), water tablets (bendroflumethiazide).
Drug-Food Interaction: Vildagliptin may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid consumption of alcohol with Vildagliptin as it may lead to high or low blood sugar levels.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (excessive levels of blood acids called ketones), disease of pancreas, kidney, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Vildagliptin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Vildagliptin as it may cause high or low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorVildagliptin is a Category B pregnancy drug and is generally not recommended for pregnant women. However, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant before taking Vildagliptin.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorThe excretion of Vildagliptin in breastmilk is unknown and is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor before using Vildagliptin if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
unsafeVildagliptin may cause dizziness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel dizzy after taking Vildagliptin.
Liver
cautionTake Vildagliptin with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Vildagliptin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeVildagliptin is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins, and a quarter with whole grain.
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between a meal or snack.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are lots of fluctuations.
- Invest at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates containing whole-grain foods and increase the intake of fruits and veggies and other fiber-enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega 3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. You can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil and safflower oil for frying.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You can adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness to control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, and cheese, etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (140/90) as possible as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
Special Advise
Liver function tests are recommended before starting treatment with Vildagliptin, at 3-month intervals for the first year and at regular intervals thereafter to monitor the signs of increased liver enzymes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that keeps the body away from properly utilizing insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or are resistant to insulin. Middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be weight gain, while in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes nerve problems, kidney problems, damaged retina of the eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increase in the chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Vildagliptin is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone.
Vildagliptin contains Vildagliptin, an anti-diabetic drug that works by preventing the breakdown of incretin hormones, namely: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) that control blood sugar levels. Thereby, it increases the levels of these two hormones. Vildagliptin increases insulin production by the pancreas and decreases glucagon production by the liver. Thus, it helps to control blood sugar levels.
Yes, you may take Vildagliptin with metformin. However, please consult a doctor before using Vildagliptin with other medicines so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately.
Vildagliptin should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from or who have a history of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) as it may increase the risk of recurrent pancreatitis or worsen the condition. However, if you experience any symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain or nausea, consult a doctor immediately.
Vildagliptin alone does not cause low blood sugar levels. However, low blood sugar levels may occur if Vildagliptin is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol intake, exercise more than usual, delay or miss snacks or meal. However, if you experience any signs of low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, dehydration or fainting, please consult a doctor.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Vildagliptin on your own as discontinuing Vildagliptin suddenly may cause recurring symptoms or worsen the condition. However, if you experience any difficulty while taking Vildagliptin, please consult your doctor so that alternative medicine may be prescribed.
Yes, diabetic skin lesions are common complications of diabetes. However, you are recommended to follow instructions for foot and skincare as advised by your doctor, and if you notice the onset of any new ulcers or blisters while taking Vildagliptin, please consult a doctor.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Limit sugar intake and avoid smoking & alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation or yoga.
Hypoglycaemia is a condition in which the blood sugar/glucose levels are lower than normal.
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include cold sweat, headache, rapid heartbeat, feeling sick, drowsiness, unusual tiredness, and weakness.
Vildagliptin should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Vildagliptin does not cause weight gain. It is weight-neutral when administered as a monotherapy.
Vildagliptin contains vildagliptin. Though vildagliptin and sitagliptin both belong to the class of anti-diabetic drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, vildagliptin is not the same as sitagliptin.
Side effects of Vildagliptin are dizziness, nausea, headache, excessive sweating, low blood sugar levels, and trembling. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
