Pioglitazone and glimepiride (Oral)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 14, 2022.
Pioglitazone hydrochloride, a component of glimepiride/pioglitazone hydrochloride, may cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure; monitor patients for signs and symptoms of heart failure after initiation or dose increase. Should heart failure develop, manage according to current standards of care. Consider discontinuation or dose reduction. Glimepiride/pioglitazone hydrochloride is not recommended in patients with symptomatic heart failure and is contraindicated in established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Duetact
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Hypoglycemic
Chemical Class: 2nd Generation Sulfonylurea
Uses for pioglitazone and glimepiride
Pioglitazone and glimepiride combination is used with proper diet and exercise to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone works by helping your body use insulin better. Glimepiride stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas which will help your body turn food into energy.
Pioglitazone and glimepiride is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using pioglitazone and glimepiride
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pioglitazone and glimepiride, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pioglitazone and glimepiride or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of pioglitazone and glimepiride combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pioglitazone and glimepiride combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have hypoglycemia and age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving pioglitazone and glimepiride combination.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking pioglitazone and glimepiride, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
