Galvus (vildagliptin)

[silver&gold]

Hi, I recently posted about severe side effects I was experiencing with the drug Januvia , I had  severe stomach pains and sore throat. My doctor has now prescribed Galvus and said they are from the same family as Januvia. Has anybody tried this drug? if so did you experience any side effects ,especially stomach pains? .
It may sound stupid but I am a little scared to take Galvus after what happened before. I am taking Glucophage and my GP has added Galvus as my blood sugar is not yet controlled. Did anybody gain or lose weight while on Galvus?. Sorry so many questions but Im feeling anxious about this. Thankyou in advance to anybody who can answer and give me any advise.

Angie

[WaveRider]

"It may sound stupid but I am a little scared to take Galvus after what happened before."
Nope, not stupid at all. Pretty sane to me and I can't blame you for asking. I would.

Hopefully someone outside the USA will come along and provide you with some feedback. But don't keep your hopes up to long as Galvus is relatively a new player in Europe. Galvus has not been approved in the USA as Phase 4 Study [Clinical Trials on Humans], the combination of Galvus with Metformin started recruiting in September 2009.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00975065

For a complete list of USA Galvus trials - finished/completed, recruiting, terminated, not yet...
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=galvus

I found this Sept 2007 article on Novartis combining Galvus and Metformin into a single drug called Eucreas which appears to be headed for European Union approval. [2 years? What's the holdup/delay?]
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/83406.php

And this Sept 2008 article. Note: "Galvus received European Commission approval for 50 mg twice-daily in combination with the most frequently prescribed oral anti-diabetes medicines, metformin or a TZD,"
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/120966.php

Lastly, an 2007 article by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD] has Galvus, when added to daily metformin regime, being "well tolerated" by patients.
http://tinyurl.com/yeq9meu

[hava]

Something natural to help you control the sugar.
These pranayam exercises will help control the diabetes and the side effects.Build up the timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume later(after about a minute).The benefits will be noticed in weeks as the sugar level is checked daily.Over the long term the diabetes will be in full control.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 15 to 30 minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30 minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years -  do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Also everyday, press the centre point of the palm of both your  hands 40 times with the thumb and press the tips of all fingers 40 times each.
To stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin: mandukasan - kneel down(with feet pointing inwards,and sit on the ankles/heels, Vajrasan position), breathe in and breathe out completely and hold your breath, pull the stomach in, press both your  hands on stomach, bend forward as much as possible keeping the head straight, hold for 5 to 15 seconds and come back up while breathing in. Repeat  this 3 times daily  to stimulate the kidney and pancreas.Mandukasan2 - Repeat the whole process,but this time with with fists of both hands pressing against the stomach.Mandukasan can be done sitting on a chair, if you cannot bend the legs.
Continue the breathing exercises once a day, after the diabetes is in full control.

[silver&gold]

Hi,
Thankyou so much for all the info you gathered for me , very interesting reading.I seem
to be tolerating the Galvus and have so far had no side effects ( only had 3 days so far but am hopeful). I am surprised as these are so simular to the Januvia.
I must admit Im not altogether comfortable with taking new drugs on the market , my GP tells me my liver function will have to be monitored closely with blood tests drawn every three months.

Thankyou again, its greatly appreciated.

Angie

[silver&gold]

Hi,
Thankyou  very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to post this natural approach , I will  certainly be trying it out.

Thanks again

Angie

[WaveRider]

You're welcome. Your GP appears to be well versed as he/she is as concerned about Galvus side effects as you are. The 3 month blood exams are spot on. Keep us posted on how you're doing, good and bad. Your experience with Galvus will help others when Galvus and/or Eucreas reaches across the pond.