Drug interactions
Diclofenac + Glimepiride-pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Diclofenac 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
NSAIDs such as diclofenac may potentiate the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas like glimepiride, raising hypoglycemia risk. The effect is usually modest but can matter in elderly patients or those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diclofenac 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.
Diclofenac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Glimepiride-pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Possible displacement from plasma protein binding and reduced renal function or prostaglandin effects on insulin secretion; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping the NSAID and counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the glimepiride 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 Glimepiride-pioglitazone
Other interactions of Diclofenac
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Diclofenac Major
- Acemetacin + Diclofenac Major
- Alteplase + Diclofenac Major
- Amiloride + Diclofenac Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diclofenac with Glimepiride-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diclofenac 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. NSAIDs such as diclofenac may potentiate the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas like glimepiride, raising hypoglycemia risk. The effect is usually modest but can matter in elderly patients or those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Diclofenac 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: Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping the NSAID and counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the glimepiride dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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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