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Drug interactions

Cholic acid + Glimepiride-pioglitazone

Severity: Moderate

Cholic acid and Glimepiride-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

Glimepiride and pioglitazone may inhibit the bile salt export pump (BSEP). This could let conjugated bile salts build up in hepatocytes and cause liver injury in patients receiving cholic acid.

What this interaction means in plain words

Cholic acid and Glimepiride-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.

Cholic acid belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Glimepiride-pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Inhibition of the hepatic bile salt export pump reduces bile acid elimination from hepatocytes.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible. If it is required, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin and stop the offending drug if liver tests worsen.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Cholic acid with Glimepiride-pioglitazone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholic acid and Glimepiride-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. Glimepiride and pioglitazone may inhibit the bile salt export pump (BSEP). This could let conjugated bile salts build up in hepatocytes and cause liver injury in patients receiving cholic acid.

How serious is the interaction between Cholic acid and Glimepiride-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: Avoid the combination where possible. If it is required, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin and stop the offending drug if liver tests worsen.

What other medicines interact with Glimepiride-pioglitazone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Glimepiride-pioglitazone with, for example, Fluconazole, Gemfibrozil, Insulin aspart. The full list is on the Glimepiride-pioglitazone page.

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