Vildagliptin
Is It Right for You?
A complete guide to Vildagliptin — what it treats, how it works, dosages, side effects, and when a clinician may prescribe it following an online consultation.
What Is Vildagliptin?
Vildagliptin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels and belongs to a group called DPP-4 inhibitors (sometimes known as gliptins).
It is taken as a tablet and is often combined with metformin, either as separate tablets or in a single combination tablet. It is used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control.
Vildagliptin is a prescription-only medication in the UK. A licensed clinician can review your diabetes control, kidney function, and medical history through a telehealth consultation and prescribe it where appropriate.
What Conditions Is Vildagliptin Used For?
Vildagliptin is used to:
lowering blood sugar levels alongside diet and exercise, on its own or with other diabetes medicines.
improving control when metformin alone is not enough, often as a combination tablet.
used with other diabetes treatments where appropriate to reach blood sugar targets.
Vildagliptin requires liver function checks before and during treatment. Tell your clinician if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness, and do not start it if you have significant liver problems.
How Does Vildagliptin Work?
Vildagliptin blocks an enzyme called DPP-4. This enzyme normally breaks down gut hormones (incretins) that help control blood sugar after eating.
By blocking DPP-4, vildagliptin increases the levels of these incretin hormones. This prompts the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the amount of sugar the liver produces.
Because it works mainly in response to raised blood sugar, vildagliptin has a relatively low risk of causing low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when used on its own, compared with some other diabetes medicines.
Dosages & Administration
The correct dose depends on the type and severity of infection, age, weight, and kidney function. Always follow your clinician's instructions. The table below is for general reference only.
Administration Tips
Take it as prescribed, with or without food, and try to take your doses at consistent times each day.
Keep up with blood sugar monitoring and reviews, and continue your diet and activity plan, which work alongside the medicine.
Side Effects of Vildagliptin
Vildagliptin is generally well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild, especially when used alone.
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tremor
- Nausea
- Cold-like symptoms
- Low blood sugar (more likely if combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin)
- Signs of liver problems (yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness)
- Severe stomach pain (possible pancreas inflammation)
- Severe blistering skin reactions
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing)
Rarely, DPP-4 inhibitors have been linked with inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to the back.
Drug Interactions
Always disclose all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements to your clinician or pharmacist before starting vildagliptin.
Combining with these raises the risk of low blood sugar, so their dose may need adjusting and you should know how to treat a hypo.
There may be a slightly increased chance of swelling (angioedema) when combined; tell your clinician about all your medicines.
Effects on blood sugar add up; your overall regimen will be balanced and monitored by your clinician.
Because vildagliptin needs liver monitoring, your clinician will consider other medicines that can affect the liver.
Important Warnings
Liver function should be tested before starting and during treatment. Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness promptly.
On its own, vildagliptin rarely causes low blood sugar, but the risk rises when combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin. Know the symptoms and how to treat them.
Stop and seek urgent advice if you develop severe, ongoing stomach pain, which can rarely be a sign of pancreas inflammation.
Vildagliptin is not usually recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding so treatment can be reviewed.
Speak to a Clinician About Treatment
Getting advice no longer means sitting in a waiting room. Through The GP Service, you can consult with a licensed clinician in minutes — from home, on your lunch break, or wherever works for you. If treatment is clinically appropriate, your clinician can issue a prescription during the consultation. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
The treatment you need, when you need it.
Vildagliptin FAQs
Yes. A licensed clinician can review your diabetes control, kidney and liver function, and medical history through a telehealth consultation and prescribe vildagliptin where appropriate.
On its own it rarely causes low blood sugar because it works mainly when blood sugar is high. The risk increases if it is combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Vildagliptin can rarely affect the liver, so liver function is checked before and during treatment to keep its use safe.
Yes. Vildagliptin is often combined with metformin, either as separate tablets or in a single combination tablet, to improve blood sugar control.
Vildagliptin is generally weight-neutral - it is used to control blood sugar rather than for weight loss. Diet and activity remain important for weight.
Take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for the next dose, in which case skip the missed one. Do not double up. Follow your clinician's advice.