Drug interactions
Metformin-pioglitazone + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Metformin-pioglitazone and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin is an enzyme inducer and can lower pioglitazone concentrations, possibly weakening glycemic control. The effect is weaker than with rifampin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin-pioglitazone and Rifabutin 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; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 increases pioglitazone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c during rifabutin therapy and increase the pioglitazone dose or add another agent if control worsens.
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 Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin-pioglitazone with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin-pioglitazone and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin is an enzyme inducer and can lower pioglitazone concentrations, possibly weakening glycemic control. The effect is weaker than with rifampin.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin-pioglitazone and Rifabutin?
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 HbA1c during rifabutin therapy and increase the pioglitazone dose or add another agent if control worsens.
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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