Drug interactions
Metformin-repaglinide + Tongkat ali
Severity: Minor
Metformin-repaglinide and Tongkat ali: minor 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
Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has been reported in animal and limited data to have glucose-lowering activity. Taken with metformin and repaglinide it could add to their effect and raise the risk of hypoglycemia, especially from repaglinide. Human evidence is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metformin-repaglinide and Tongkat ali have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Possible additive glucose-lowering effect; the exact mechanism of the herbal product is not well established.
What to do
Advise patients to monitor blood glucose more often after starting the herbal product and to report symptoms of hypoglycemia. Reduce the repaglinide dose if glucose falls.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Metformin-repaglinide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metformin-repaglinide with Tongkat ali?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Metformin-repaglinide and Tongkat ali have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has been reported in animal and limited data to have glucose-lowering activity. Taken with metformin and repaglinide it could add to their effect and raise the risk of hypoglycemia, especially from repaglinide. Human evidence is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Metformin-repaglinide and Tongkat ali?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to monitor blood glucose more often after starting the herbal product and to report symptoms of hypoglycemia. Reduce the repaglinide dose if glucose falls.
What other medicines interact with Metformin-repaglinide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metformin-repaglinide with, for example, Gemfibrozil, Apalutamide, Clarithromycin. The full list is on the Metformin-repaglinide page.
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