Drug interactions
Gemfibrozil + Pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Gemfibrozil 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
Gemfibrozil inhibits CYP2C8 and raises pioglitazone exposure severalfold. This may increase dose-related adverse effects such as fluid retention, edema, heart failure and weight gain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemfibrozil 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.
Gemfibrozil belongs to Cardiovascular; Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Gemfibrozil and its glucuronide inhibit CYP2C8, the main enzyme metabolizing pioglitazone.
What to do
Monitor for edema, weight gain and heart failure signs and glycemic response. Reduce the pioglitazone dose if the combination is continued, in line with labeling.
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 Gemfibrozil
- Daprodustat + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Elagolix + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Metformin-repaglinide Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Repaglinide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gemfibrozil with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemfibrozil 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. Gemfibrozil inhibits CYP2C8 and raises pioglitazone exposure severalfold. This may increase dose-related adverse effects such as fluid retention, edema, heart failure and weight gain.
How serious is the interaction between Gemfibrozil 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 for edema, weight gain and heart failure signs and glycemic response. Reduce the pioglitazone dose if the combination is continued, in line with labeling.
What other medicines interact with Gemfibrozil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemfibrozil with, for example, Daprodustat, Elagolix, Mavacamten. The full list is on the Gemfibrozil page.
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