Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water - Actos (Pioglitazone) Interaction

Interaction Details

Pioglitazone is classified as belonging to the following category: Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water contains fennel seed. Theoretically, fennel might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. However, this has only been seen in vitro (i.e., in a lab setting) and has not been reported in humans. Additionally, the amount of fennel seed contained in Mommy's Bliss Gripe water is very low, and clinically significant interactions here are thought to be unlikely.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Pharmacist Analysis

Depending on the dose of Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water given (which depends on age), the amount of fennel seed ingested by the infant will be between 1mg and 5mg.

This small amount is very unlikely to cause a clinically significant interaction with any other drug that is metabolized via CYP3A4.

Nevertheless, the theoretical interaction is that fennel, by decreasing the activity of this enzyme, could increase the concentrations of drugs metabolized by it.

The interaction is important to be aware of but will likely not cause any issues.

References

• Mechanism-based inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 by Indonesian medicinal plants. PubMed
• Inhibition on human liver cytochrome P450 3A4 by constituents of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): identification and characterization of a mechanism-based inactivator. PubMed

Interaction Details

Pioglitazone is classified as belonging to the following category: Antidiabetes Drugs

Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water contains ginger. Theoretically, taking ginger with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia (i.e., low blood sugar) as some studies suggest that ginger might increase insulin levels and/or decrease blood glucose levels. Based on the low amount of ginger contained in Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water, it is quite unlikely that it would cause significant changes to blood sugar, but it important to be aware of if your infant is diabetic.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Pharmacist Analysis

Studies are mixed regarding whether or not ginger has significant hypoglycemic effects and the concern with this interaction is combining multiple blood-sugar-lowering compounds.

However, in studies that have shown ginger lowering blood sugar, the risk of hypoglycemia (i.e., low blood sugar) was practically non-existent.

It's very unlikely that ginger would cause blood sugar to drop too low if combined with other blood sugar-lowering compounds, especially when you consider the very low amounts of ginger contained in Mommy's Bliss, but the interaction is nevertheless important to be aware of if your infant is diabetic.

References

• Anti-diabetic activity of Zingiber officinale in streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic rats. PubMed
• Analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) in mice and rats. PubMed
• Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on plasma glucose level, HbA1c and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients. PubMed
  

Pioglitazone Overview

• Pioglitazone is used with a diet and exercise program and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Pioglitazone is in a class of medications called thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels. Pioglitazone is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may develop if high blood sugar is not treated).

• Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems.Taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.

Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water - More Interactions

Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water interacts with 765 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.