Drug interactions
Pioglitazone + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Pioglitazone and Prednisone: 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
Systemic prednisone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Glycemic control may deteriorate, particularly with higher doses or prolonged courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pioglitazone and Prednisone 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.
Pioglitazone belongs to Endocrine; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, pharmacodynamically opposing the insulin-sensitising effect of pioglitazone.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently during prednisone therapy and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed. Reassess doses when the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Pioglitazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pioglitazone with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pioglitazone and Prednisone 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. Systemic prednisone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering effect of pioglitazone. Glycemic control may deteriorate, particularly with higher doses or prolonged courses.
How serious is the interaction between Pioglitazone and Prednisone?
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 more frequently during prednisone therapy and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed. Reassess doses when the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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