Vildagliptin

1 medicine

Vildagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar after meals. Rare but serious liver injury can occur, so liver function is checked before starting and periodically during treatment.

Vsmall

Vildagliptin

50mg

Vsmall is a diabetes medication containing Vildagliptin, available as 50mg tablets.

from $1.62 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Vildagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes, taken alone or combined with metformin, a sulfonylurea, or insulin.
  • It is taken as tablets, usually twice daily, with or without food.
  • Rare but serious liver injury has been linked to vildagliptin. Liver function tests are checked before starting and periodically during treatment, and the drug is stopped if liver injury is suspected.
  • Seek urgent care for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain.

What vildagliptin treats

Vildagliptin treats type 2 diabetes, used alongside diet and exercise when blood sugar is not controlled by lifestyle changes alone. It is often added to metformin or other diabetes medicines when they are not enough on their own. It is not used for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

How vildagliptin works

Vildagliptin blocks the enzyme DPP-4, which normally breaks down incretin hormones released after eating. With DPP-4 blocked, these hormones stay active longer, prompting the pancreas to release more insulin and reducing the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. The result is a smaller rise in blood sugar after meals, with a low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone.

Before you take it

  • Avoid vildagliptin if you have active liver disease or abnormal liver tests before starting treatment.
  • It is not recommended in moderate to severe heart failure, because clinical experience in that group is limited.
  • Your dose may need adjusting if you have kidney impairment, since the drug is cleared through the kidneys.
  • Combining vildagliptin with a sulfonylurea or insulin increases the risk of hypoglycemia; your doctor may lower those doses.

Side effects

Common effects include headache, dizziness, tremor, and mild nausea.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness, which can signal liver injury.
  • Severe, persistent abdominal pain, which can signal pancreatitis.
  • Swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing.
  • Painful, blistering skin reactions.

Safety essentials

  • Liver function tests are required before starting vildagliptin and at regular intervals during treatment. Stop the medicine and seek care if signs of liver injury appear.
  • Rare cases of acute pancreatitis have occurred; seek care promptly for severe abdominal pain that does not improve.
  • Vildagliptin is not recommended for people with moderate to severe heart failure.
  • If you take a sulfonylurea or insulin alongside vildagliptin, watch for symptoms of low blood sugar, such as shakiness, sweating, or confusion.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.