Drug interactions
Glimepiride + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Moderate
Glimepiride and Hydrocortisone: 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
Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose and can blunt the effect of glimepiride, worsening glycemic control. The effect is greater with higher doses and prolonged therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glimepiride and Hydrocortisone 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.
Glimepiride belongs to Endocrine; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance oppose sulfonylurea action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping hydrocortisone and adjust glimepiride accordingly, reducing it again after steroid withdrawal to avoid hypoglycemia.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Glimepiride
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glimepiride with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Hydrocortisone 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. Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose and can blunt the effect of glimepiride, worsening glycemic control. The effect is greater with higher doses and prolonged therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Hydrocortisone?
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 hydrocortisone and adjust glimepiride accordingly, reducing it again after steroid withdrawal to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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