Drug interactions
Cortisone + Metformin-pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Cortisone 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
Corticosteroids raise blood glucose and can counteract the effect of metformin and pioglitazone, with higher doses or prolonged courses causing more effect. Cortisone may also modestly lower pioglitazone levels through enzyme induction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cortisone 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
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis oppose antidiabetic action, with possible weak CYP3A4 induction.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely during corticosteroid therapy and increase antidiabetic therapy as needed; reassess doses when the steroid is tapered.
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 Cortisone with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cortisone 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. Corticosteroids raise blood glucose and can counteract the effect of metformin and pioglitazone, with higher doses or prolonged courses causing more effect. Cortisone may also modestly lower pioglitazone levels through enzyme induction.
How serious is the interaction between Cortisone 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 blood glucose closely during corticosteroid therapy and increase antidiabetic therapy as needed; reassess doses when the steroid is tapered.
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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