Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S belongs to a class of drugs called “hypoglycemics” (anti-diabetics, biguanide/dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels) in patients that are inadequately controlled by metformin alone or have been treated with the combination of vildagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. 

Type 2 diabetes, also known as non insulin-dependent diabetes, is a condition resulting from a combination of insulin resistance, i.e, body cells failing to respond properly to the insulin produced, inadequate insulin secretion, and excessive production of glucagon. Progression of the disease may lead to insulin deficiency. This causes hyperglycemia. (high blood sugar levels)

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is available in tablet form on prescription. Metformin is an anti diabetic medication (biguanide) that works by decreasing the amount of sugar released into the blood by the liver, delaying sugar absorption from the intestines and increasing the body’s responsiveness to insulin. Whereas, vildagliptin is an anti-diabetic medication (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) that works by increasing insulin (a natural substance required in breaking down sugar) production by the pancreas and the ability of the body to utilise it effectively. Besides this it also plays a role in decreasing hormones responsible for raising blood sugar levels

Dosage of Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S depends on age, severity of condition, patient's response to medicine and their comorbidities.

The most common side effects of Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, headache and sore throat.

Indications

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is prescribed to adults above 18 years of age.

It is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels): 

• In patients that are inadequately controlled by metformin alone or by metformin in combination with either a sulfonylurea or insulin, 

or 

• Have been treated with the combination of vildagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. 

 

How does Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S work?

Metformin is an anti diabetic medication (biguanide) that works by decreasing the amount of sugar released into the blood by the liver, delaying sugar absorption from the intestines and increasing the body’s responsiveness to insulin. Whereas, vildagliptin is an anti-diabetic medication (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) that works by increasing insulin (a natural substance required in breaking down sugar) production by the pancreas and the ability of the body to utilise it effectively. Besides this it also plays a role in decreasing hormones responsible for raising blood sugar level

 

How to use Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

It is better to take Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S with meals to avoid side effects like an upset stomach.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. 

Dosage 

• Fixed-dose combinations available of Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S are 50/500mg, 50/850mg and 50/1000mg.
• Recommended dose is twice daily, taken with meals
• When metformin alone is inadequate in controlling blood glucose levels, you will be prescribed a combination tablet equivalent to your current dose of metformin. 
• If you are already taking vildagliptin and metformin as separate tablets, you will be prescribed a fixed-dose combination tablet at the dose of each medicine that you were taking separately.
• It is advised to stop taking your tablets separately once you have been prescribed Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S - combination tablet.
• When prescribing Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S it is important to consider whether the available strength of combination tablets will allow you to give an appropriate metformin dose. Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S should not be prescribed to patients taking more than 2000mg/day of metformin, as they will exceed the recommended maximum daily dose of vildagliptin, i.e, 100mg/day. 

 

Pregnancy use and lactation

Use of Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding so that they can prescribe you a medicine accordingly without causing any complications for you or your baby.

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S:

Metformin: 

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (abnormally fast breakdown of fat into blood acids called ketones) or precoma 
• Renal (kidney) impairment - acute conditions predisposing to renal impairment (e.g dehydration, severe infection, shock)
• Hepatic (liver) impairment
• Acute alcohol intoxication
• Cardiac or respiratory failure - recent MI (myocardial infarction)
• Discontinue for 48 hours before and after surgery
• Patients above 75 years of age

Vildagliptin: 

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (abnormally fast breakdown of fat into blood acids called ketones)
• Hepatic (liver) impairment 
• CHF (congestive heart failure)
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus (condition in which your body does not produce insulin) 

Precautions

Please tell your doctor about any of the following conditions while using Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S:

Metformin: 

• Assess risk factors for lactic acidosis (excessive lactic acid accumulation in the blood) 
• Discontinue immediately if metabolic acidosis (electrolyte disorder characterized by acid-base imbalance in the body) is suspected 
• Monitor renal function at least annually

Vildagliptin: 

• Measure liver enzymes before treatment, every 3 months during the first year then periodically. If transaminase levels increase, monitor frequently until they return to normal; withdraw and do not start if persistent increase of ALT or AST > 3 times ULN, or if patient develops jaundice or other signs of liver dysfunction. 
• Moderate or severe renal impairment (dosage is reduced to 50mg once daily if eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is less than 50mL/min/1.73m2

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is contraindicated if you are allergic to any of its constituents.

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S, hence, in that case your doctor might alter your dosage and make sure to monitor blood sugar levels more closely.

Please inform your doctor about the use of the following before taking Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S:

Metformin: 

• Alcohol
• Iodinated contrast agents
• Diuretics
• Corticosteroids
• ACE inhibitors
• Sympathomimetics
• NSAIDs
• Other hypoglycemics 
• inhibitors of OCT2 (organic cation transporter-2) e.g cimetidine (H2 receptor blocker), dolutegravir (antiretroviral/HIV integrase inhibitor), ranolazine (sodium channel blocker), trimethoprim (anti folate antibiotic).

Vildagliptin: 

• ACE inhibitors

Make sure to inform your doctor that you are taking Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S before you start or stop any other medicine.

Adverse effects

Like most medicines, Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S has some side effects which include:

COMMON:

• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness 
• Headache 
• Trembling
• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level)
• Metallic taste

SERIOUS:

Metformin:

• Lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood)
• Abnormal liver function tests (hepatitis) 
• Skin rash or itching (skin disease) 
• Reduced B12 absorptions

Vildagliptin:

• Bullous and exfoliative skin lesions
• With monotherapy: dizziness. 
• With metformin: tremor, headache, dizziness, nausea, hypoglycaemia. 
• With sulfonylurea: tremor, headache, dizziness, asthaenia, hypoglycaemia.
• With glitazone: weight gain, peripheral oedema. 
• With insulin: headache, hypoglycaemia, chills, GI upset.

 

How to cope with some of the adverse effects

• Nausea (feeling sick) - Take Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S with meals and avoid having spicy food

• Headaches - Take a painkiller, rest and keep yourself hydrated at all times. Avoid drinking alcohol

• Vomiting and Diarrhoea - Keep yourself hydrated by having lots of fluids and still if the problem persists, consult your doctor before taking any medication for vomiting and diarrhoea.

• Stomach ache - Try to rest as much as possible and have smaller and more frequent meals. Using a heat pack or hot water bottle over the area in pain might help in giving some relief. If the pain still persists and is severe, speak to your doctor.

• Loss of appetite - Have smaller meals than usual at times that you would normally eat.

• Dizziness - Try and rest until you feel better and refrain from driving or using any tools or machinery

• Metallic taste in the mouth - Have something that would change the taste of your mouth for example, sugar-free gum

• Hypoglycemia - Carry fast acting carbohydrates (like sweets and juice) to prevent your body from going into a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects.

 

Key facts about Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S

• Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (condition resulting in elevated levels of sugar in the blood) in patients that are inadequately controlled by metformin alone or have been treated with the combination of vildagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. 
• It is prescribed to adults above 18 years of age.
• When using Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S with other medicines it can cause hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) hence, carry something sweet in case that happens.
• Unlike some other anti diabetics, chances of weight gain are very low
• Inform your doctor about your treatment if you are to undergo surgery.
• Matter of concern arises when you experience deep or rapid breathing, persistent nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, as Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S may cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis.
• It is important for your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, along with repeated kidney and liver function tests to prevent you from any complications

FAQs

1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S DO?

It is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels) in patients that are inadequately controlled by metformin alone or have been treated with the combination of vildagliptin and metformin as separate tablets.

2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S TO START WORKING?

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S starts working in a couple of weeks, however, optimum result is usually achieved in a few  weeks. It is essential to take it consistently to stabilise your blood sugar levels

3. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S FOR?

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S is usually prescribed for long term use, possibly life long. Your dosage and time period is decided by your doctor after knowing the severity of your condition.

4. CAN I STOP TAKING Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

This medicine largely controls your blood sugar levels, but does not cure your condition. Hence, do not just stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor, otherwise your condition could possibly get worse.

5. WHAT IF Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S STOPS WORKING?

If it stops working, then your doctor will either give it to you with a combination of other medicines or recommend a different treatment to you by switching it with other anti-diabetics.

6. WILL Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S AFFECT MY KIDNEYS?

It does not affect those with normal kidney function and hence, is safe to use for them. However, if you have a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor as you might need to alter your daily dose.

7. DOES Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN?

It does not cause weight gain like other anti diabetics.

8. CAN Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S CAUSE NAUSEA AND VOMITING?

Yes, it can. In case of vomiting, make sure to keep yourself hydrated. However, if it persists then inform your doctor and look out for signs like less frequent urination, dark coloured, strong smelling urine.

9. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

An overdose of Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S alone usually does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) indicated by feeling hungry, trembling or shaking, sweating, feeling confused and having problems concentrating. However, it could occur if a good diet is not maintained. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these signs or experience stomach pain, nausea/vomiting and dizziness.

10. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

Incase you miss a dose, take your next dose on time and do not try making up for the missed dose by doubling it up. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm so you do not miss any dose.

11. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are on Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S as it can interfere with your treatment causing low blood sugar levels especially in aged patients and on occasions where you have skipped a meal.

12. CAN I TAKE Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S BEFORE SURGERY ?

Inform your doctor that you are using Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S before surgery as he/she might ask you to stop taking the medicine before your operation.

13. CAN I DRIVE OR RIDE A BIKE AFTER TAKING Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S?

Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S alone might not affect your ability to drive or ride a bike, but when given in combination with other medicines, it could result in low blood sugar levels resulting in loss of concentration vision impairment (your eyesight is affected). To be on the safe side, always carry fast acting carbohydrates (like sweets and juice) to prevent your body from going into a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

14. HOW SHOULD Galvus Met 50mg+500mg Tablet 10 'S BE STORED?

Keep this medicine tightly closed in the container or the pack it came in. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Make sure it is not consumed by pets, children and other people. Dispose of the unused medicine.