Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Metformin-pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone 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
Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, working against metformin and pioglitazone. Systemic use for replacement or treatment can need antidiabetic dose changes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Metformin-pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose output oppose antidiabetic effects.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more closely during systemic hydrocortisone therapy and adjust antidiabetic doses, then reassess when the steroid is reduced.
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 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone 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. Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, working against metformin and pioglitazone. Systemic use for replacement or treatment can need antidiabetic dose changes.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone 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 blood glucose more closely during systemic hydrocortisone therapy and adjust antidiabetic doses, then reassess when the steroid is reduced.
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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