Drug interactions
Metformin + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Metformin and Prednisone: 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
Prednisone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glycemic control achieved with metformin. The effect is greater with higher doses and may need added antidiabetic treatment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic gluconeogenesis oppose metformin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose during steroid therapy and intensify antidiabetic treatment as needed. Reassess when prednisone is tapered.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin and Prednisone 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. Prednisone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glycemic control achieved with metformin. The effect is greater with higher doses and may need added antidiabetic treatment.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin and Prednisone?
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 intensify antidiabetic treatment as needed. Reassess when prednisone is tapered.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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