Glimepiride and pioglitazone

Generic name: glimepiride and pioglitazone [ glye-MEP-ir-ide-and-PYE-oh-GLI-ta-zone ]
Brand name: Duetact
Dosage form: oral tablet (2 mg-30 mg; 4 mg-30 mg)
Drug class:Antidiabetic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 21, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is glimepiride and pioglitazone?

Glimepiride and pioglitazone is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.

Glimepiride and pioglitazone is a combination medicine used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. glimepiride and pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Glimepiride and pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, active bladder cancer, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

This medicine can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use glimepiride and pioglitazone if you are allergic to glimepiride, pioglitazone, or sulfa drugs, or if you have:

• severe or advanced heart failure;

• active bladder cancer; or

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking glimepiride and pioglitazone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure or heart disease;

• fluid retention;

• bladder cancer;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

• eye problems caused by diabetes; or

• a heart attack or stroke.

This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlli...