Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Metformin
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Metformin: 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 offset the glucose-lowering effect of metformin. Glycemic control may worsen during corticosteroid therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Metformin 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 belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing metformin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c and increase antidiabetic therapy as needed during steroid treatment. Reassess doses after the steroid is reduced or stopped.
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 Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Metformin 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 offset the glucose-lowering effect of metformin. Glycemic control may worsen during corticosteroid therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Metformin?
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 and increase antidiabetic therapy as needed during steroid treatment. Reassess doses after the steroid is reduced or stopped.
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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