Galvumet (Vildagliptin And Metformin Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Galvumet Used For?
Galvumet is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients working together to help manage your blood sugar levels.
Primary Uses
Galvumet is used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly.
How It Works
Vildagliptin belongs to a class of medicines called islet enhancers, while Metformin belongs to the biguanide class. Together, they help your body make better use of insulin and produce less glucagon (a substance that triggers sugar production). This combination helps maintain your blood sugar levels.
How to Take Galvumet
Take Galvumet exactly as prescribed by your doctor to get the best results from your treatment.
Dosage Instructions
Take 1 tablet twice a day with food as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not exceed two tablets a day. Take only one strength of Galvumet to minimize the risk of lactic acidosis. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on your blood glucose levels.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Take Galvumet regularly at the same time each day for best results.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhea
- Burning sensation in chest or upper belly
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Unusual weakness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chills
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Hepatitis (yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine, light stools)
- Pancreatitis (severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting)
- Cholecystitis (severe pain in upper right abdomen spreading to shoulder)
- Lactic acidosis (fast deep breathing, muscle cramps, body aches)
- Hypoglycemia (sweating, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat)
- Unintentional shaking movements
- Excessive sweating
- Itchy rash or blisters
- Cutaneous vasculitis (red spots, lumps, swelling with fever)
Important Warnings
Before taking Galvumet, it’s important to understand who should not use this medication and what conditions require special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Galvumet
Do not use Galvumet if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, have type 1 diabetes, have diabetic ketoacidosis, or suffer from genetically inherited diseases affecting mitochondria such as MELAS syndrome or MIDD. Not recommended for children under 18 years.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, heart issues, or skin problems such as boils, blisters, or erosions. Stop taking before contrast x-rays or surgeries (except minor ones) and restart only after your doctor’s instructions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Avoid taking Galvumet if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication.
Lactic Acidosis Risk: Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of lactic acidosis such as tiredness, fast and deep breathing, muscle cramps, or body aches
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Galvumet and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
- Other medicines containing Metformin hydrochloride
- Heart medications (NYHA functional class I-III drugs)
- High blood pressure medications
- Medications for swelling and infections (corticosteroids)
- Thyroid problem medications
- Psychiatric medications (phenothiazine)
- Stomach problem medications (cimetidine, ranitidine)
- Oral contraceptives
- Estrogen medications for menopause or osteoporosis
Alcohol & Driving
Be aware of how Galvumet may affect your ability to drive and your response to alcohol.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of having low blood sugar levels and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Avoid driving vehicles or using machines if you feel tired or dizzy. Galvumet may cause dizziness and tiredness in some people. Be careful until you know how this medication affects you.
Storage
Store Galvumet below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Keep tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Galvumet, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include muscle pain, fever, swelling of hands and feet, numbness or burning sensation on skin, and lactic acidosis symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and feeling cold in arms and legs. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Galvumet helps your body make better use of insulin and produce less glucagon to maintain blood sugar levels. Your doctor will monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and may adjust your dose to control your blood sugar levels effectively.
Yes, you should take Galvumet with food. This helps reduce any stomach-related side effects. Take one tablet twice a day with food as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop using Galvumet suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions and use Galvumet until your doctor tells you to stop. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication.
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Galvumet as it may increase your risk of having low blood sugar levels and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Contact your doctor if you are taking any other medicine with Metformin hydrochloride as an active ingredient, as you may need to stop them before starting Galvumet. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Call your doctor straight away if you feel ill or experience extra stress, injury, fever, infection, or need surgery. Also contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of lactic acidosis such as tiredness, fast breathing, muscle cramps, or body aches.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.