Drug interactions
Cephalexin + Metformin-pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Cephalexin and Metformin-pioglitazone: 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
Cephalexin can increase metformin exposure, with a small rise in metformin levels reported. This matters mainly in patients with renal impairment or other lactic acidosis risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cephalexin and Metformin-pioglitazone 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
Cephalexin inhibits renal tubular MATE1-mediated secretion of metformin, reducing its clearance.
What to do
Monitor renal function and glycemic response during the antibiotic course, and consider metformin dose reduction in renal impairment.
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 Metformin-pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cephalexin with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cephalexin and Metformin-pioglitazone 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. Cephalexin can increase metformin exposure, with a small rise in metformin levels reported. This matters mainly in patients with renal impairment or other lactic acidosis risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Cephalexin and Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor renal function and glycemic response during the antibiotic course, and consider metformin dose reduction in renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metformin-pioglitazone with, for example, Contrast media, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate, Diatrizoate. The full list is on the Metformin-pioglitazone page.
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