Before taking vildagliptin

Before taking vildagliptin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are under 18 years of age.
• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have heart, kidney or liver problems.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take vildagliptin

• Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take vildagliptin tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. Your doctor will ask you to take one or two doses a day depending on what other medicines you are taking alongside vildagliptin.
• If you have been told to take one dose of vildagliptin each day, take it in the morning. If you have been told to take two doses each day, take your first dose in the morning and the second dose in the evening.
• You can take the vildagliptin tablets before, during or after meals.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
• If you have been given a combination tablet of vildagliptin and metformin (Eucreas®), you should take these tablets twice daily with meals.Taking these tablets with food will reduce the risk of a stomach upset.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It is important that you keep your regular doctor's and clinic appointments. This is so your progress can be monitored. You are likely to need regular check-ups with an eye clinic and a foot clinic as well as with your doctor and diabetes clinic.
• Your doctor may recommend that you test for sugar in your blood or urine regularly to check that your diabetes is being controlled. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will show you how to do this.
• If you have been given advice by your doctor about changes to your diet, stopping smoking or taking regular exercise, it is important for you to follow the advice you have been given.
• Check with your doctor before taking up any new physical exercise, as this will have an effect on your blood sugar levels and you may need to check your blood or urine levels more regularly.
• Taking vildagliptin and alcohol may affect the control of your blood sugar. Keep to the recommended alcohol limits.
• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, you should tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are diabetic and taking vildagliptin.
• If you get unusually thirsty, pass urine more frequently, and feel very tired, then let your doctor know. Your dose of vildagliptin may need adjusting.
• If you are a driver you should take special care as your ability to concentrate may be affected if your diabetes is not well-controlled. Make sure you know what it feels like if your blood sugar is low. This is known as hypoglycaemia or a 'hypo'. The first signs of hypoglycaemia are: feeling shaky or anxious, sweating, looking pale, feeling hungry, having palpitations (a feeling that your heart is pounding), and feeling dizzy. If these happen you should eat or drink something containing sugar or have a snack straightaway. It is advisable to check your blood or urine glucose levels before you travel on long journeys and have a snack with you.

Can vildagliptin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• Jaundice (a liver problem which causes your eyes or skin to go yellow).
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Severe skin rash or blistering.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store vildagliptin

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Galvus® 50 mg tablets, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2011.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Eucreas® 50 mg/850 mg and 50 mg/1000 mg film-coated tablets, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2011.
• British National Formulary; 62nd Edition (Sep 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)