Drug interactions
Metformin-pioglitazone + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Metformin-pioglitazone and Verapamil: 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
Verapamil may inhibit hepatic uptake of metformin via OCT1, which can reduce its glucose-lowering effect. Clinical effects are variable and generally modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin-pioglitazone and Verapamil 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; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Inhibition of OCT1-mediated hepatic uptake of metformin.
What to do
Monitor glucose when starting or stopping verapamil and increase metformin dose 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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin-pioglitazone with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metformin-pioglitazone and Verapamil 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. Verapamil may inhibit hepatic uptake of metformin via OCT1, which can reduce its glucose-lowering effect. Clinical effects are variable and generally modest.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin-pioglitazone and Verapamil?
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 glucose when starting or stopping verapamil and increase metformin dose 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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