About pioglitazone hcl eq to pioglitazone + glimepiride
Thiazolidinedione-sulfonylurea combination
Used for
- Improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise.
Usual adult dose
Usually one tablet once daily with the first main meal; dose is individualized by a prescriber.
Common side effects
- Low blood sugar
- Swelling or weight gain
- Headache or dizziness
- Upper respiratory symptoms
Important warnings
- Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Pioglitazone can worsen heart failure; seek urgent care for worsening breathlessness or swelling.
- Glimepiride can cause severe or prolonged low blood sugar.
- May increase fracture risk; pioglitazone has also been linked to bladder cancer.
Pregnancy
Not generally recommended; diabetes treatment during pregnancy requires clinician-directed alternatives.
Breastfeeding
Use is generally avoided because effects on nursing infants are uncertain; seek clinician guidance.
Interactions
- Insulin and other diabetes medicines increase low-blood-sugar risk.
- Some medicines, including fluconazole, can increase glimepiride effects.
- Rifampin may reduce pioglitazone effects.
- Gemfibrozil may increase pioglitazone exposure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.