Drug interactions
Pioglitazone + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Pioglitazone and Rifampin: 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
Rifampin induces CYP2C8 and CYP3A4, substantially lowering pioglitazone exposure and potentially causing loss of glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pioglitazone and Rifampin 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 CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 increases pioglitazone clearance.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c and increase the pioglitazone dose as needed, reducing it again when rifampin is stopped.
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 Pioglitazone with Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pioglitazone and Rifampin 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. Rifampin induces CYP2C8 and CYP3A4, substantially lowering pioglitazone exposure and potentially causing loss of glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Pioglitazone and Rifampin?
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 and increase the pioglitazone dose as needed, reducing it again when rifampin is stopped.
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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