Indications
This is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercises to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose diabetes is not adequately controlled on Metformin Hydrochloride or Vildagliptin alone or who are already treated with the combination of Vildagliptin and Metformin Hydrochloride, as separate tablets.
Therapeutic Class
Combination Oral hypoglycemic preparations
Pharmacology
Vildagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, which is believed to exert its actions in patients with type 2 diabetes by slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones. Incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are released by the intestine throughout the day, and levels are increased in response to a meal. These hormones are rapidly inactivated by the enzyme, DPP-4. The incretins are part of an endogenous system involved in the physiologic regulation of glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose concentrations are normal or elevated, GLP-1 and GIP increase insulin synthesis and release from pancreatic beta cells by intracellular signaling pathways involving cyclic AMP. GLP-1 also lowers glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, leading to reduced hepatic glucose production. By increasing and prolonging active incretin levels, Vildagliptin increases insulin release and decreases glucagon levels in the circulation in a glucose-dependent manner.

Metformin: The pharmacologic mechanism of action of Metformin is different from other classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents. Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and increases peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.
Dosage & Administration
Adults: Based on the patient’s current dose of Metformin, Vildagliptin and Metformin may be initiated at either 50 mg/500 mg or 50 mg/850 mg twice daily, 1 tablet in the morning and the other in the evening. Patients receiving Vildagliptin and Metformin from separate tablets may be switched to Vildagliptin and Metformin containing the same doses of each component. Doses higher than 100 mg of vildagliptin are not recommended. There is no clinical experience of Vildagliptin and Metformin in triple combination with other antidiabetic agents. Taking Vildagliptin and Metformin with or just after food may reduce gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Metformin.
Interaction
In pharmacokinetic studies, no interactions were seen with pioglitazone, metformin, glibenclamide, digoxin, warfarin, amlodipine, ramipril, valsartan or simvastatin. As with other oral antidiabetic medicinal products the glucose-lowering effect of Vildagliptin may be reduced by certain active substances, including thiazides, corticosteroids, thyroid products and sympathomimetics. Close monitoring of glycemic control is required, when cationic drugs are co-administered. Glucocorticoids, beta 2 agonists, diuretics and ACE inhibitors may alter blood glucose. The patient should be informed and more frequent blood glucose monitoring performed, especially at the beginning of treatment. If necessary, the dosage of Vildagliptin & Metformin tablets may need to be adjusted during concomitant therapy and on its discontinuation.
Contraindications
Vildagliptin & Metformin is contraindicated in patients with:
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
Patients with Renal Impairment: Creatinine clearance
Patients with acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma.
Diabetic ketoacidosis should be treated with insulin
Patients with type 1 diabetes
Side Effects
The majority of adverse reactions were mild and transient, not requiring treatment discontinuations. Lactic acidosis can occur due to Metformin. Rare cases of hepatic dysfunction. Some common side effects like tremor, headache, dizziness, nausea, hypoglycaemia, fatigue are seen. Clinical trials of up to and more than 2 years duration did not show any additional safety signals or unforeseen risks when use this combinatin.