Drug interactions
Entecavir + Metformin-pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Entecavir 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
Entecavir, a nucleoside analogue, carries a labeled warning of lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis. Metformin also carries a lactic acidosis risk, so the combination may add to that risk, especially with renal or hepatic impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Entecavir 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.
Entecavir belongs to Anti Virals; Metformin-pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive risk of lactic acidosis from mitochondrial toxicity (entecavir) and impaired lactate clearance (metformin).
What to do
Monitor for symptoms of lactic acidosis and check renal and hepatic function periodically. Stop one agent if lactic acidosis is suspected.
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
Other interactions of Entecavir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Entecavir with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Entecavir 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. Entecavir, a nucleoside analogue, carries a labeled warning of lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis. Metformin also carries a lactic acidosis risk, so the combination may add to that risk, especially with renal or hepatic impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Entecavir 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 for symptoms of lactic acidosis and check renal and hepatic function periodically. Stop one agent if lactic acidosis is suspected.
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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