Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone 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
Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Both drugs can also cause fluid retention.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance opposes pioglitazone; additive fluid retention may occur.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and adjust antidiabetic therapy during steroid use. Watch for edema and weight gain, especially in patients with heart failure.
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 Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone 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. Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Both drugs can also cause fluid retention.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone 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 adjust antidiabetic therapy during steroid use. Watch for edema and weight gain, especially in patients with heart failure.
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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