Drug interactions
Clozapine + Pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Clozapine and 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
Clozapine frequently causes weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Glycemic control may deteriorate after clozapine is started or the dose is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clozapine and 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.
Clozapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: clozapine-related metabolic effects oppose the antidiabetic action.
What to do
Check fasting glucose or HbA1c and weight regularly after starting or changing clozapine. Adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed.
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 Clozapine
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acalabrutinib + Clozapine Major
- Adagrasib + Clozapine Major
Other interactions of Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clozapine with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clozapine and 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. Clozapine frequently causes weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Glycemic control may deteriorate after clozapine is started or the dose is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and 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: Check fasting glucose or HbA1c and weight regularly after starting or changing clozapine. Adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed.
What other medicines interact with Clozapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clozapine with, for example, Deferiprone, Irinotecan, Pimozide. The full list is on the Clozapine page.
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