Drug interactions
Metformin + Prednisolone
Severity: Moderate
Metformin and Prednisolone: 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
Prednisolone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glycemic control achieved with metformin. Glucose may need closer tracking during steroid courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin and Prednisolone 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; Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic gluconeogenesis.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and add or increase antidiabetic therapy, often insulin, if hyperglycemia develops. Review doses when the steroid is 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 Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Other interactions of Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin with Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin and Prednisolone 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. Prednisolone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glycemic control achieved with metformin. Glucose may need closer tracking during steroid courses.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin and Prednisolone?
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 add or increase antidiabetic therapy, often insulin, if hyperglycemia develops. Review doses when the steroid is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone 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 Prednisolone page.
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