People with fluctuating blood sugar levels will soon have an option other than insulin — this month will see the launch of Vildagliptin, which will be released in India as Galvus.

“In some cases, this drug may be recommen-ded instead of insulin. The drug has low potential to cause hypoglycemia,” said Dr Anoop Misra, Director and Head, Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, Fortis Group of Hospitals.

Another drug — Januvia — was launched in July this year. Dr Misra said both Januvia and Galvus belong to a class of drugs called incretins, which is favourable for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and could be an alternative to other hypoglycemic therapies. “These drugs act by releasing a hormone called glucagons-like peptide-1 from the intestines, which further acts on pancreas. They also have favourable effects on several other hormones, thereby improving metabolism in diabetics,” he added.

Earlier this year, an injectable-Exenatide (derived from the saliva of a lizard, Gila monster) was introduced. The drug is available in India as Byetta. “It’s a good drug having the capacity to cause weight loss. Since it’s injectable, the sales could not catch up in India as much as it has overseas,” Dr Misra said.

According to doctors, Galvus has effects similar to that of Januvia and Byetta. “The void, which was caused by the adverse effects of thiazolidinedione class of anti-diabetic drugs, now seems to be filling up with this new class of drugs,” Dr Misra said.

However, Januvia, priced at Rs 43 per tablet, will not be easy on the pockets of the lower-middle class. Though the prices are still to be revealed for Galvus, doctors believe it will be less than Januvia.

4 cr diabetics in India

• At present, there are about four crore diabetic patients in India. Of these, only 1.5 crore are aware of their situation and are under some form of treatment. From among those who are under treatment, only 20 per cent are able control their sugar level.