Drug interactions
Phenobarbital + Pioglitazone
Severity: Moderate
Phenobarbital and Pioglitazone: 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
Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and may reduce pioglitazone concentrations during chronic therapy. This could lead to a loss of glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenobarbital and Pioglitazone 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.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 by phenobarbital increases pioglitazone clearance.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting or stopping phenobarbital. Titrate pioglitazone as needed.
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 Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenobarbital with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenobarbital and Pioglitazone 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. Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and may reduce pioglitazone concentrations during chronic therapy. This could lead to a loss of glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Phenobarbital and Pioglitazone?
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 after starting or stopping phenobarbital. Titrate pioglitazone as needed.
What other medicines interact with Pioglitazone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pioglitazone with, for example, Insulin aspart-insulin aspart protamine, Insulin aspart, Insulin degludec-insulin aspart. The full list is on the Pioglitazone page.
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