4.1. Therapeutic indications

Vildagliptin is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus:

• as monotherapy in patients in whom metformin is inappropriate due to contraindications or intolerance.

• in combination with other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes, including insulin, when these do not provide adequate glycaemic control (see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 for available data on different combinations).

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults

When used as monotherapy, in combination with metformin, in combination with thiazolidinedione, in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea, or in combination with insulin (with or without metformin), the recommended daily dose of vildagliptin is 100 mg, administered as one dose of 50 mg in the morning and one dose of 50 mg in the evening.

When used in dual combination with a sulphonylurea, the recommended dose of vildagliptin is 50 mg once daily administered in the morning. In this patient population, vildagliptin 100 mg daily was no more effective than vildagliptin 50 mg once daily.

When used in combination with a sulphonylurea, a lower dose of the sulphonylurea may be considered to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Doses higher than 100 mg are not recommended.

If a dose of Galvus is missed, it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers. A double dose should not be taken on the same day.

The safety and efficacy of vildagliptin as triple oral therapy in combination with metformin and a thiazolidinedione have not been established.

Additional information on special populations

Elderly (≥ 65 years)

No dose adjustments are necessary in elderly patients (see also sections 5.1 and 5.2).

Renal impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≥ 50 ml/min). In patients with moderate or severe renal impairment or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the recommended dose of Galvus is 50 mg once daily (see also sections 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

Galvus should not be used in patients with hepatic impairment, including patients with pre-treatment alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 3x the upper limit of normal (ULN) (see also sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Paediatric population

Galvus is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (< 18 years). The safety and efficacy of Galvus in children and adolescents (< 18 years) have not been established. No data are available (see also section 5.1).

Method of administration

Oral use

Galvus can be administered with or without a meal (see also section 5.2).

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

General

Galvus is not a substitute for insulin in insulin-requiring patients. Galvus should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Renal impairment

There is limited experience in patients with ESRD on haemodialysis. Therefore Galvus should be used with caution in these patients (see also sections 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

Galvus should not be used in patients with hepatic impairment, including patients with pre-treatment ALT or AST > 3x ULN (see also sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Liver enzyme monitoring

Rare cases of hepatic dysfunction (including hepatitis) have been reported. In these cases, the patients were generally asymptomatic without clinical sequelae and liver function test results returned to normal after discontinuation of treatment. Liver function tests should be performed prior to the initiation of treatment with Galvus in order to know the patient's baseline value. Liver function should be monitored during treatment with Galvus at three-month intervals during the first year and periodically thereafter. Patients who develop increased transaminase levels should be monitored with a second liver function evaluation to confirm the finding and be followed thereafter with frequent liver function tests until the abnormality(ies) return(s) to normal. Should an increase in AST or ALT of 3x ULN or greater persist, withdrawal of Galvus therapy is recommended.

Patients who develop jaundice or other signs suggestive of liver dysfunction should discontinue Galvus.

Following withdrawal of treatment with Galvus and LFT normalisation, treatment with Galvus should not be reinitiated.

Cardiac failure

A clinical trial of vildagliptin in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I-III showed that treatment with vildagliptin was not associated with a change in left-ventricular function or worsening of pre-existing congestive heart failure (CHF) versus placebo. Clinical experience in patients with NYHA functional class III treated with vildagliptin is still limited and results are inconclusive (see section 5.1).

There is no experience of vildagliptin use in clinical trials in patients with NYHA functional class IV and therefore use is not recommended in these patients.

Skin disorders

Skin lesions, including blistering and ulceration have been reported in extremities of monkeys in non-clinical toxicology studies (see section 5.3). Although skin lesions were not observed at an increased incidence in clinical trials, there was limited experience in patients with diabetic skin complications. Furthermore, there have been post-marketing reports of bullous and exfoliative skin lesions. Therefore, in keeping with routine care of the diabetic patient, monitoring for skin disorders, such as blistering or ulceration, is recommended.

Acute pancreatitis

Use of vildagliptin has been associated with a risk of developing acute pancreatitis. Patients should be informed of the characteristic symptom of acute pancreatitis.

If pancreatitis is suspected, vildagliptin should be discontinued; if acute pancreatitis is confirmed, vildagliptin should not be restarted. Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of acute pancreatitis.

Hypoglycaemia

Sulphonylureas are known to cause hypoglycaemia. Patients receiving vildagliptin in combination with a sulphonylurea may be at risk for hypoglycaemia. Therefore, a lower dose of sulphonylurea may be considered to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Excipients

This medicine contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Vildagliptin has a low potential for interactions with co-administered medicinal products. Since vildagliptin is not a cytochrome P (CYP) 450 enzyme substrate and does not inhibit or induce CYP 450 enzymes, it is not likely to interact with active substances that are substrates, inhibitors or inducers of these enzymes.

Combination with pioglitazone, metformin and glyburide

Results from studies conducted with these oral antidiabetics have shown no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions.

Digoxin (Pgp substrate), warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate)

Clinical studies performed with healthy subjects have shown no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions. However, this has not been established in the target population.

Combination with amlodipine, ramipril, valsartan or simvastatin

Drug-drug interaction studies in healthy subjects were conducted with amlodipine, ramipril, valsartan and simvastatin. In these studies, no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed after co-administration with vildagliptin.

Combination with ACE-inhibitors

There may be an increased risk of angioedema in patients concomitantly taking ACE-inhibitors.(see section 4.8).

As with other oral antidiabetic medicinal products the hypoglycaemic effect of vildagliptin may be reduced by certain active substances, including thiazides, corticosteroids, thyroid products and sympathomimetics.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data from the use of vildagliptin in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity at high doses (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Due to lack of human data, Galvus should not be used during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether vildagliptin is excreted in human milk. Animal studies have shown excretion of vildagliptin in milk. Galvus should not be used during breast-feeding.

Fertility

No studies on the effect on human fertility have been conducted for Galvus (see section 5.3).

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Patients who experience dizziness as an adverse reaction should avoid driving vehicles or using machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

Safety data were obtained from a total of 5 451 patients exposed to vildagliptin at a daily dose of 100 mg (50 mg twice daily) in randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials of at least 12 weeks duration. Of these patients, 4 622 patients received vildagliptin as monotherapy and 829 patients received placebo.

The majority of adverse reactions in these trials were mild and transient, not requiring treatment discontinuations. No association was found between adverse reactions and age, ethnicity, duration of exposure or daily dose. Hypoglycaemia has been reported in patients receiving vildagliptin concomitantly with sulphonylurea and insulin. The risk of acute pancreatitis has been reported with the use of vildagliptin (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions reported in patients who received Galvus in double-blind studies as monotherapy and add-on therapies are listed below for each indication by system organ class and absolute frequency. Frequencies are defined as very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000), very rare (<1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 1 Adverse reactions reported in patients who received vildagliptin as monotherapy or as add-on therapy in controlled clinical studies and in post-marketing experience

System organ class - adverse reaction

Frequency

Infections and infestations

Nasopharyngitis

Very common

Upper respiratory tract infection

Common

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Hypoglycaemia

Uncommon

Nervous system disorders

Dizziness

Common

Headache

Common

Tremor

Common

Eye disorders

Vision blurred

Common

Gastrointestinal disorders

Constipation

Common

Nausea

Common

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Common

Diarrhoea

Common

Abdominal pain, including upper

Common

Vomiting

Common

Flatulence

Uncommon

Pancreatitis

Rare

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatitis

Not known*

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Hyperhidrosis

Common

Rash

Common

Pruritis

Common

Dermatitis

Common

Urticaria

Uncommon

Exfoliative and bullous skin lesions, including bullous pemphigoid

Not known*

Cutaneous vasculitis

Not known*

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Common

Myalgia

Common

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Erectile dysfunction

Uncommon

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia

Common

Oedema peripheral

Common

Fatigue

Uncommon

Chills

Uncommon

Investigations

Abnormal liver function tests

Uncommon

Weight increase

Uncommon

* Based on post-marketing experience.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Hepatic impairment

Rare cases of hepatic dysfunction (including hepatitis) have been reported. In these cases, the patients were generally asymptomatic without clinical sequelae and liver function returned to normal after discontinuation of treatment. In data from controlled monotherapy and add-on therapy trials of up to 24 weeks in duration, the incidence of ALT or AST elevations ≥ 3x ULN (classified as present on at least 2 consecutive measurements or at the final on-treatment visit) was 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.2% for vildagliptin 50 mg once daily, vildagliptin 50 mg twice daily and all comparators, respectively. These elevations in transaminases were generally asymptomatic, non-progressive in nature and not associated with cholestasis or jaundice.

Angioedema

Rare cases of angioedema have been reported on vildagliptin at a similar rate to controls. A greater proportion of cases were reported when vildagliptin was administered in combination with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-Inhibitor). The majority of events were mild in severity and resolved with ongoing vildagliptin treatment.

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia was uncommon when vildagliptin (0.4%) was used as monotherapy in comparative controlled monotherapy studies with an active comparator or placebo (0.2%). No severe or serious events of hypoglycaemia were reported. When used as add-on to metformin, hypoglycaemia occurred in 1% of vildagliptin-treated patients and in 0.4% of placebo-treated patients. When pioglitazone was added, hypoglycaemia occurred in 0.6% of vildagliptin-treated patients and in 1.9% of placebo-treated patients. When sulphonylurea was added, hypoglycaemia occurred in 1.2% of vildagliptin treated patients and in 0.6% of placebo-treated patients. When sulphonylurea and metformin were added, hypoglycaemia occurred in 5.1% of vildagliptin treated patients and in 1.9% of placebo treated patients. In patients taking vildagliptin in combination with insulin, the incidence of hypoglycaemia was 14% for vildagliptin and 16% for placebo.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Information regarding overdose with vildagliptin is limited.

Symptoms

Information on the likely symptoms of overdose was taken from a rising dose tolerability study in healthy subjects given Galvus for 10 days. At 400 mg, there were three cases of muscle pain, and individual cases of mild and transient paraesthesia, fever, oedema and a transient increase in lipase levels. At 600 mg, one subject experienced oedema of the feet and hands, and increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), C-reactive protein (CRP) and myoglobin levels. Three other subjects experienced oedema of the feet, with paraesthesia in two cases. All symptoms and laboratory abnormalities resolved without treatment after discontinuation of the study medicinal product.

Management

In the event of an overdose, supportive management is recommended. Vildagliptin cannot be removed by haemodialysis. However, the major hydrolysis metabolite (LAY 151) can be removed by haemodialysis.