Drug interactions
Opuntia ficus indica + Repaglinide
Severity: Minor
Opuntia ficus indica and Repaglinide: 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
Prickly pear cactus may have glucose-lowering activity and could add to the effect of repaglinide, raising hypoglycemia risk. Evidence is limited and preparation-dependent.
What this interaction means in plain words
Opuntia ficus indica and Repaglinide 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
Additive pharmacodynamic glucose-lowering effect; the exact mechanism is not well established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose if the patient uses prickly pear products and counsel on hypoglycemia symptoms. Adjust repaglinide 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 Repaglinide
- Gemfibrozil + Repaglinide Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Repaglinide Major
- Clopidogrel + Repaglinide Major
- Cobicistat + Repaglinide Major
- Cyclosporine + Repaglinide Major
- Cyclosporin + Repaglinide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Opuntia ficus indica with Repaglinide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Opuntia ficus indica and Repaglinide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Prickly pear cactus may have glucose-lowering activity and could add to the effect of repaglinide, raising hypoglycemia risk. Evidence is limited and preparation-dependent.
How serious is the interaction between Opuntia ficus indica and Repaglinide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose if the patient uses prickly pear products and counsel on hypoglycemia symptoms. Adjust repaglinide if glucose falls.
What other medicines interact with Repaglinide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Repaglinide with, for example, Gemfibrozil, Clarithromycin, Clopidogrel. The full list is on the Repaglinide page.
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