Drug interactions
Metformin + Nilotinib
Severity: Moderate
Metformin and Nilotinib: 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
Nilotinib can cause hyperglycemia in some patients, which may counteract metformin's glucose lowering. Glycemic control may need closer attention during treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin and Nilotinib 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; Nilotinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: nilotinib-associated hyperglycemia opposes metformin effect; the exact mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose regularly during nilotinib therapy and intensify antidiabetic treatment if hyperglycemia develops.
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
Other interactions of Nilotinib
- Amiodarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Nilotinib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin with Nilotinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin and Nilotinib 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. Nilotinib can cause hyperglycemia in some patients, which may counteract metformin's glucose lowering. Glycemic control may need closer attention during treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin and Nilotinib?
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 regularly during nilotinib therapy and intensify antidiabetic treatment if hyperglycemia develops.
What other medicines interact with Metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metformin with, for example, Contrast media, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate, Diatrizoate. The full list is on the Metformin page.
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