How can I save money on Galvus Met (vildagliptin/metformin)? Why is it not approved by the FDA?
If you have never heard of Galvus Met or Galvus, you’re not alone. Galvus (vildagliptin) is a diabetes medication approved for market in over 120 countries, including those in the European Union (EU), Japan, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Galvus Met, which adds the drug metformin to the mix (vildagliptin/metformin) was approved in the EU and UK over a decade ago, and, in 2015 in Japan. You may recognize the drug metformin, which has been prescribed on its own for decades as a first line therapy for type 2 diabetic patients. (See how you can save on metformin here.) What makes Galvus Met an intriguing drug therapy? In combination, vildagliptin and metformin work together to make the body more receptive to insulin.
Both Galvus and Galvus Met have yet to be approved for sale in the U.S. You can, however, order these medications from accredited international online pharmacies with a valid prescription from your doc.
Galvus Met can be purchased safely through a PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacy. The pharmacy websites that sell Galvus Met operate or work with dispensing pharmacies located in countries where Galvus Met is approved. Galvus Met also goes by the names Equmet, Eucreas, Galvusmet, and Galvumet. In India, vildagliptin goes by the name Zomelis. Zomelis Met is the same vildagliptin/metformin combination as Galvus Met.
Make sure you only order through an accredited website to ensure you and your family’s health and financial safety.
Compare Vildagliptin/Metformin Prices
International Prices for Galvus Met (vildagliptin/metformin) |
|
| Drug (generic name) Strength Quantity | Lowest Accredited International Online Pharmacy Price |
| Galvus Met (vildagliptin/metformin) 50/1000mg 60 tablets | $59.95 |
| Vildagliptin/Metformin (generic) 50/1000mg 60 tablets | $68.00 |
Who makes Galvus Met? Why is it not approved by the FDA for U.S. distribution?
Novartis, a pharmaceutical company based in Switzerland, makes both Galvus and Galvus Met. In 2007, the FDA issued an “approvable letter” for Galvus alone requesting that Novartis provide clinical study data on the safety and efficacy of Galvus when used in specific patients groups that have kidney impairment. As of 2020, the FDA has yet to approve either: Galvus by itself or Galvus Met.
In 2015, the FDA released a safety announcement of increased risk of heart failure regarding certain dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. While vildagliptin is not yet approved in the U.S., there are a number of DPP-4 inhibitors that have been approved and are widely used in the country, including sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. In its safety letter, the FDA also states that these drugs can result in severe joint pain. If you are interested in obtaining a prescription for vildagliptin, you may want to bring up these concerns with your health care provider.
Additionally, if you would like to look into DPP-4 inhibitors, talk to your provider about the approved four: sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. These four can all be used in combination with metformin. Sitagliptin/metformin sells under the name Janumet. Saxagliptin/metformin is Kombiglyze XR. Linagliptin/metformin is Jentadueto, and alogliptin/metformin is Kazano. Of these four, Janumet is most commonly used, but Kazano, also fairly common, is the cheapest, with an average U.S. retail price of $240.28 for 60 tablets. (It helps that Kazano is also sold as alogliptin/metformin, the generic alternative.) Janumet, by contrast, has an average U.S. retail price of $584.29.
Is there a generic version of Galvus Met?
No. You can compare prices for the brand among licensed international sources on PharmacyChecker.
I live in the U.S. Can I get a prescription for Galvus Met?
The FDA does have options for patients to use unapproved products,but it may require working with your provider to follow a compassionate or emergency use pathway.
What are the side effects of Galvus Met?
Common side effects Galvus Met has been linked to include: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal pain. dizziness. Additionally, Galvus Met can have serious adverse effects on patients that are not very common but include: lactic acidosis, angioedema, pancreatitis, and liver disease. You should immediately contact your provider if you experience any serious adverse effects.
Where is Galvus Met manufactured?
We have found packaging of Galvus Met that indicates the bulk tablets were manufactured in Singapore. The pharmaceutical supply chain is often both complicated and lacking in transparency. In order to make sure exactly where your Galvus Met is manufactured, you will have to inquire about your specific order of medication. To do this, you can ask the accredited pharmacy dispensing your medication. We require pharmacy websites accredited and monitored by PharmacyChecker to ensure that the patient has access to a pharmacist for consultation. During these consultations, we encourage you to inquire as to where your specific medication is manufactured and dispensed. Most pharmacies have a “Contact Us” page on their websites, which also typically includes their business hours. Some pharmacies also have a “Live Chat” option allowing you to ask questions while on the pharmacy’s website.
Learn more about safely ordering diabetes medication online
How do I prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes?
How can I save money on Metformin? I don't have great insurance.
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