Drug interactions
Metformin + Methylprednisolone
Severity: Moderate
Metformin and Methylprednisolone: 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
Corticosteroids raise blood glucose and can reduce the effectiveness of metformin. Glycemic control may deteriorate during steroid courses, particularly at higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin and Methylprednisolone 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.
Metformin belongs to Endocrine; Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic gluconeogenesis.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose during steroid therapy and adjust antidiabetic therapy, adding insulin if required. Reassess doses when 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 Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin and Methylprednisolone 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. Corticosteroids raise blood glucose and can reduce the effectiveness of metformin. Glycemic control may deteriorate during steroid courses, particularly at higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin and Methylprednisolone?
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 during steroid therapy and adjust antidiabetic therapy, adding insulin if required. Reassess doses when the steroid is reduced or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.
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