Drug interactions
Bitter melon + Gliclazide
Severity: Moderate
Bitter melon and Gliclazide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Bitter melon has glucose-lowering properties and may add to the effect of gliclazide, raising the risk of hypoglycemia. Herbal product content is variable, making the effect unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bitter melon and Gliclazide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Bitter melon constituents have insulin-like and glucose-uptake-enhancing activity that is additive with sulfonylurea action.
What to do
Advise patients to disclose herbal use and monitor blood glucose more frequently if it is used. Reduce the gliclazide dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Gliclazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bitter melon with Gliclazide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bitter melon and Gliclazide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Bitter melon has glucose-lowering properties and may add to the effect of gliclazide, raising the risk of hypoglycemia. Herbal product content is variable, making the effect unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Bitter melon and Gliclazide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to disclose herbal use and monitor blood glucose more frequently if it is used. Reduce the gliclazide dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Gliclazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gliclazide with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Disopyramide. The full list is on the Gliclazide page.
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