Drug interactions
Fosphenytoin + Pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Fosphenytoin 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
Phenytoin, the active form of fosphenytoin, induces CYP enzymes including CYP3A4 and CYP2C, and may lower pioglitazone exposure. Glycemic control could be reduced, especially with long-term therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fosphenytoin 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.
Fosphenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by phenytoin increases hepatic metabolism of pioglitazone.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c when fosphenytoin is started or stopped, and increase pioglitazone dose if control worsens, within labeled limits.
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 Pioglitazone
Other interactions of Fosphenytoin
- Dronedarone + Fosphenytoin Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fosphenytoin with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fosphenytoin 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. Phenytoin, the active form of fosphenytoin, induces CYP enzymes including CYP3A4 and CYP2C, and may lower pioglitazone exposure. Glycemic control could be reduced, especially with long-term therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Fosphenytoin 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: Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c when fosphenytoin is started or stopped, and increase pioglitazone dose if control worsens, within labeled limits.
What other medicines interact with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pioglitazone with, for example, Insulin aspart-insulin aspart protamine, Insulin aspart, Insulin degludec-insulin aspart. The full list is on the Pioglitazone page.
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