Last updated on September 27th, 2022
Vildagliptin and Metformin, both medications, are used to treat diabetes. Being an anti-diabetic medication, Metformin helps in reducing the production of glucose inside the liver, while Vildagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that increases insulin release from the pancreas and decreases the hormones that raise blood sugar levels.
Both medications together help in providing control over blood sugar levels.
Uses of Vildagliptin + Metformin
Vildagliptin helps in combating diabetes. Being an anti-diabetic drug, Vildagliptin helps in reducing post-meal sugar levels and fasting sugar. Your doctor may advise you to consume this drug with a healthy diet.
Regular exercising is very important if you are taking this drug. Vildagliptin in combination with a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity aids in controlling blood sugar levels.
Metformin also helps in lowering blood sugar levels. Experts recommend consuming this medication in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. When a patient consumes Metformin, it helps in restoring the response to the insulin that is naturally produced in the human body. Being on this drug, as per the doctor’s prescription, also helps in reducing the amount of sugar that the liver makes.
Depending on the patient’s condition, sometimes, the medical practitioner advises consuming Vildagliptin and Metformin in a combination form. In such a situation, you must:
- Abide by the doctor’s advice carefully
- Consume the medications as per the prescribed schedule
- Read the printed information carefully
- Know about the procedure
- These are usually taken twice a day, but if you are on other medications too, your doctor may adjust your dosage
Summary: Vildagliptin and Metformin are two of the best anti-diabetes medications available on the market. These are known to produce great results for diabetics. These, however, have to be taken in combination with a healthy diet and a sufficient amount of exercise.
Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Diabetes
Side Effects of Vildagliptin + Metformin
When a patient consumes both Vildagliptin and Metformin in combination, then he/she might feel some side effects. Sometimes, the side effects could be mild. In case the effects persist too long, you must consult a doctor.
Side Effects Could Be:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Low Blood Sugar Level
- Diarrhea
- Metallic Taste
- Stomach Ache
- Trembling
- Weakness
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
Immediately consult your doctor if you suffer from any of the above problems. Your health practitioner will evaluate the condition and will help you get relief from the side effects. Very rarely, a patient could suffer from some complicated side effects, and in such situations, the patient must consult the doctor immediately.
Also, if you have a history of being allergic to any of the ingredients present in Vildagliptin and Metformin, then you must immediately consult the doctor.
If the patient taking these medications is already having any kind of allergy, hepatic impairment or kidney disorder, then seeking immediate medical help is highly recommended.
Summary: These medicines usually do not show any side-effects, but in some patients, these may show mild symptoms like nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, stomach ache, etc. If these symptoms persist for a significant amount of time, the patient must consult a doctor.
Missed Dose of Vildagliptin and Metformin
As soon as you remember, you can consume the missed dose. You are allowed to skip a dose of these medications only if the time of your next dose is very near. Attempting to compensate for a missed dose, never take an additional dose, as it may lead to other health issues like nausea, vomiting, heartburn, dizziness, etc.
Also Read: How to Reduce Blood Sugar Level Immediately?
Overdose of Vildagliptin and Metformin
Overdose of these medications can be very problematic for a patient. These can lead to difficulty in breathing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting. Hence, you should never overdose these medications.
Also Read: Side Effects of Metformin
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pregnant women are advised only to consume Vildagliptin and Metformin if the doctor advised. You should never begin with the combination of these drugs on your own as it may cause serious complications.
Discuss the benefits and complications with your medical advisor before starting Vildagliptin and Metformin in combination. After analysing your condition, your physician may suggest you a different drug.
Also Read: Can Diabetes be Reversed Permanently?
Lactating Mothers
Breastfeeding mothers should not take the combination of Vildagliptin and Metformin as studies have proven that it may pass into the breastmilk and cause health issues in infants. Self-medication of these drugs is strictly prohibited for lactating mothers.
Summary: The combination of these medications is not recommended for pregnant ladies and lactating mothers, as these may affect the health of the baby. Hence, consulting a doctor is highly recommended in such conditions so that they can prescribe some alternate medications.
How to Take Vildagliptin + Metformin in Combination?
- Must consume this medication after having food. It lowers the chances of stomach upset
- Taking these drugs together lessens the chances of weight gain and helps in lowering the blood sugar levels as compared to other diabetic medicines
- If the patient has had any surgery in the past, then he/she must inform the doctor
- If you experience breathlessness, rapid or deep breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or Lactic Acidosis (a rare condition caused when Vildagliptin and Metformin is consumed in a combination), you must take medical help immediately
- Before recommending the combination medicine, your doctor might check your kidney and liver function. He might also ask you to perform LFT or KFT if required
- Discuss with your doctor if you develop symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, dark colour urine, fever, etc.
Summary:
These medications should not be consumed on an empty stomach. These medicines also reduce the chances of weight gain, apart from keeping the blood glucose levels under control. Seeking immediate medical help is highly recommended if the patient experiences any serious side-effects like breathlessness, nausea, etc.
Takeaway
Vildagliptin And Metformin are very effective anti-diabetes medications, which are widely used by doctors in combination to help patients in controlling high blood sugar. While being on these medications, the patients are recommended to follow a proper exercise regime and ensure having a healthy diet on a daily basis.
FAQs:
Can metformin and vildagliptin be taken together?
Yes, these medicines have proven to be highly successful in keeping under control the blood glucose levels of type-2 diabetes patients.
How do you take metformin and vildagliptin?
The combination of metformin and vildagliptin has to be taken twice a day, right after having a meal. Having these along with food minimises the chances of stomach disturbance, which is a possible side-effect of the medicines.
What is the use of vildagliptin and metformin HCL tablets?
Metformin in combination with Vildagliptin is used to help the patients keep type-2 diabetes under control. Both are anti-diabetic medicines.
What is the difference between metformin and vildagliptin?
In short, vildagliptin helps in reducing your blood pressure and raises your heart rate, while metformin raises your heart rate but does not affect your blood pressure, during intraduodenal glucose infusion in patients with type 2 diabetes.
References:
- https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB04876
- https://www.1mg.com/generics/metformin-vildagliptin-402326
Last Updated on by Dr. Damanjit Duggal
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