Drug interactions
Metformin-pioglitazone + Quinidine
Severity: Moderate
Metformin-pioglitazone and Quinidine: 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
Quinidine is a cationic drug that may compete with metformin for renal tubular secretion and modestly raise metformin levels. Higher exposure increases the risk of gastrointestinal effects and, rarely, lactic acidosis, particularly in renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin-pioglitazone and Quinidine 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-pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine; Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Competition for renal tubular secretion via OCT2 and MATE transporters reduces metformin clearance.
What to do
Monitor renal function and glucose, and consider reducing the metformin dose in patients with reduced eGFR.
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-pioglitazone
Other interactions of Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin-pioglitazone with Quinidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin-pioglitazone and Quinidine 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. Quinidine is a cationic drug that may compete with metformin for renal tubular secretion and modestly raise metformin levels. Higher exposure increases the risk of gastrointestinal effects and, rarely, lactic acidosis, particularly in renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin-pioglitazone and Quinidine?
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 renal function and glucose, and consider reducing the metformin dose in patients with reduced eGFR.
What other medicines interact with Metformin-pioglitazone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metformin-pioglitazone with, for example, Contrast media, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate, Diatrizoate. The full list is on the Metformin-pioglitazone page.
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