Galvus Tablet (Vildagliptin) Side Effects in Pakistan

Complete guide to Galvus Tablet side effects — from common effects to serious warnings. DRAP pharmacovigilance link and emergency cues included.

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

Side Effects

Quick Answer

Common side effects of Galvus Tablet (Vildagliptin) include nasopharyngitis, headache, dizziness, and constipation. Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis (severe abdominal pain), bullous pemphigoid (skin blisters), liver toxicity, and worsening heart failure. See a doctor immediately for any unusual symptom.

Side Effects at a Glance

Common

Nasopharyngitis
Headache (sar dard)
Dizziness (chakkar aana)
Constipation (qabz)

Serious — See a Doctor

Pancreatitis — severe persistent abdominal pain
Bullous pemphigoid — water blisters on skin
Liver toxicity — jaundice, dark urine, upper abdominal pain
Heart failure — worsening of pre-existing condition
Angioedema — swelling of the face, lips, or throat (especially with ACE inhibitors)

When to See a Doctor Immediately

Unconsciousness or confusion — possible severe hypoglycaemia
Severe persistent abdominal pain
Water blisters on skin (bullous pemphigoid)
Jaundice — yellowing of eyes or skin
Dark urine (cola-brown colour)
Swelling of face, lips, or throat (angioedema)
Worsening shortness of breath or foot swelling (heart failure)
Trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat — low sugar (hypoglycaemia)

Galvus Tablet (Vildagliptin) Side Effects (Nuksanat)

Galvus Tablet (Vildagliptin) is generally well tolerated in most patients when taken at the correct dose. However, like any medicine, it can have side effects.

Common Side Effects (Aam Nuksanat)

Nasopharyngitis
Headache (sar dard)
Dizziness (chakkar aana)
Constipation (qabz)

These side effects are generally mild. If they continue or seem serious, inform your doctor.

Uncommon Side Effects (Ghair Aam)

Peripheral edema
Arthralgia
Hypoglycaemia — low blood sugar

Serious Side Effects (Sanjeedah Nuksanat — Rare but Important)

Side Effect	Symptoms	Action
Pancreatitis	Severe persistent abdominal pain	Stop the medicine immediately — emergency
Bullous pemphigoid	Water blisters on skin	See a doctor immediately — dermatologist
Liver toxicity	Jaundice, dark urine, upper abdominal pain	See a doctor immediately
Heart failure	Worsening shortness of breath, foot swelling	See a doctor immediately
Angioedema	Swelling of face, lips, or throat	Emergency — call 1122
Severe hypoglycaemia	Unconsciousness, confusion, trembling (with sulfonylurea/insulin)	Give something sweet — emergency

When to See a Doctor (Kab Doctor Se Milna Zaroori Hai)

Immediately (Emergency): Unconsciousness, swelling of face or throat (angioedema), severe abdominal pain
See soon: Blisters on skin, jaundice, dark urine, worsening breathlessness
Inform your doctor: Frequent nasal/throat irritation, worsening joint pain, foot swelling

Hypoglycaemia — Khas Ahtiaat

The risk of hypoglycaemia is low when Galvus is used alone. However, the risk increases significantly in combination with a sulfonylurea (Glimepiride) or insulin.

Low sugar symptoms:

Sweating
Confusion
Trembling
Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
Unconsciousness (in severe cases)

What to do: Immediately consume something sweet (juice, candy, glucose). If unconscious, call emergency (1122).

Warnings and Precautions (Ihtiyat)

Do not change the dose without your doctor
Have liver and kidney function checked regularly
Consult your doctor before use during pregnancy
Not approved for use in children

Side Effects Summary Table

Type	Side Effect	Action
Common	Nasopharyngitis	Monitor / inform doctor
Common	Headache	Monitor
Common	Dizziness	Monitor / inform doctor
Common	Constipation	Monitor / adjust diet
Uncommon	Joint pain (arthralgia)	Inform doctor
Uncommon	Foot swelling	Inform doctor
Serious (rare)	Pancreatitis	STOP IMMEDIATELY — emergency
Serious (rare)	Bullous pemphigoid	See a doctor IMMEDIATELY
Serious (rare)	Liver toxicity	See a doctor IMMEDIATELY
Serious (rare)	Angioedema	EMERGENCY — 1122

Reporting Side Effects (Side Effects Report Karein)

If you notice any unexpected side effect, report it on the DRAP pharmacovigilance portal: https://www.dra.gov.pk/pharmacovigilance

The information in this guide is for educational purposes only. If you notice any side effect, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vildagliptin ke side effects kya hain?

Common side effects include nasal and throat irritation (nasopharyngitis), headache, dizziness, and constipation. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis, skin blisters (bullous pemphigoid), liver damage, and worsening heart failure. See a doctor immediately for any unusual symptom.

Kya Galvus se sugar gir sakti hai (hypoglycaemia)?

The risk of hypoglycaemia with Galvus alone is low — because it works in a glucose-dependent manner. However, the risk increases considerably when used with a sulfonylurea (such as Glimepiride) or insulin. For symptoms (sweating, confusion, trembling), take something sweet and inform your doctor.

Bullous pemphigoid kya hai aur Galvus se link kya hai?

Bullous pemphigoid is a serious skin condition in which painless or painful water blisters form on the skin. It is a known rare side effect of the DPP-4 inhibitor class. If blisters appear on the skin while taking Galvus, stop the medicine immediately and see a dermatologist or doctor.

Kya Galvus liver ko nuksan pahuncha sakti hai?

In rare cases, Vildagliptin can elevate liver enzymes. If jaundice, dark urine, or upper abdominal pain occur, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor may order baseline liver function tests.

Agar joint pain ho to kya karein?

Arthralgia (joint pain) is an uncommon side effect of the DPP-4 inhibitor class. If joint pain is increasing and causing difficulty in daily activities, discuss it with your doctor — they may change the medicine or adjust the dosage.

Brand alternatives, same-class options, and other medicines used for the same conditions as Galvus Tablet (Vildagliptin).

Other diabetes medicines

Sibling medicines in the Diabetes Medicines class.

All in class →

Used for the same conditions

Other medicines commonly used for diabetes and overlapping conditions.

Diabetes hub →

Sources

DRAP Registered Products Database — Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd ed. (2023) — World Health Organization
British National Formulary (BNF) — BMJ Group & Pharmaceutical Press

Medical disclaimer

This page is for educational use only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always confirm diagnosis, dose, and interactions with a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medicine.