Drug & supplement interaction

Neem + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone

Alogliptin, Pioglitazone brand name: Oseni.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Alogliptin, Pioglitazone falls into 3 drug categories that Neem can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Neem and Alogliptin, Pioglitazone

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Neem interacts with whole categories of medication. Alogliptin, Pioglitazone falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Neem in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Alogliptin, Pioglitazone

Alogliptin, Pioglitazone falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Neem interacts with.

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Oseni combines two diabetes medicines, and the pioglitazone part is partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab studies, neem leaf extract appears to slow that enzyme down. If that held true in people, pioglitazone could build up a bit more than usual, which in theory might lead to stronger effects like low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, dizziness) or pioglitazone's known issues such as fluid retention and swelling.

Here's the honest part: this is only test-tube evidence, and it has never actually been reported in humans, so I wouldn't panic. Still, if you want to use neem regularly, check in with your pharmacist or doctor first and keep an eye on your blood sugar readings.

References
  1. Amaeze O, Eng H, Horlbogen L, Varma MVS, Slitt A. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2021;46(3):437-450. PubMed
Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

2 of 3

Alogliptin, Pioglitazone also falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS.

Neem might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Some clinical research shows that neem can lower blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, including those already taking metformin.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Oseni combines two diabetes medicines, alogliptin and pioglitazone, that both work to bring your blood sugar down. The thing to know about neem is that it seems to have a blood-sugar-lowering effect of its own. So when you stack the two together, the worry is simple addition: your numbers could dip lower than you planned, which we call hypoglycemia.

Watch for the usual low-sugar signs, things like shakiness, sweating, a racing heart, feeling lightheaded, irritable, or unusually hungry. To be fair, the evidence here is on the weaker side (mostly lab and animal work, plus a few small human studies), so this is a caution and not a sure thing. Please don't change anything on your own. Keep checking your sugars and chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding neem.

References
  1. Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Curr Sci 2002;82:1336-45.
  2. Pingali U, Ali MA, Gundagani S, Nutalapati C. Evaluation of the effect of an aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves and twigs on glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Alogliptin, Pioglitazone also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C8 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP2C8 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist with Oseni, which combines alogliptin and pioglitazone. The pioglitazone half is cleared mainly by a liver enzyme called CYP2C8. In test-tube studies, neem leaf extract seems to slow that same enzyme down. If neem did this in real life, pioglitazone could build up a bit and act stronger, which might mean more fluid retention, swelling in the legs, weight gain, or a higher chance of low blood sugar (especially shaky, sweaty, dizzy feelings) when paired with other diabetes meds.

That said, this is purely theoretical right now, seen only in lab work and never actually reported in people. Neither drug here is a prodrug, so the direction holds: more enzyme blocking could mean more effect. I wouldn't panic, but do mention neem to your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Amaeze O, Eng H, Horlbogen L, Varma MVS, Slitt A. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2021;46(3):437-450. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Neem Also Interacts With Other Medications

Neem has 1,012 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Alogliptin, Pioglitazone one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Neem

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Neem. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Alogliptin, Pioglitazone

This page covers Neem only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Alogliptin, Pioglitazone page lists 356 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Grapefruit (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 309 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Alogliptin, Pioglitazone page

“Someone taking Oseni (alogliptin and pioglitazone) for type 2 diabetes often shops the very shelf this list comes from, and the pairing deserves genuine caution. Of the 356 ingredients on file, 239 also lower blood sugar, so stacking them on top of the pill can drop glucose too far.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Neem as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 288 real supplement products containing Neem, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Neem. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Alogliptin, Pioglitazone too, on top of Neem — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Neem and Alogliptin, Pioglitazone Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Neem
Top half

#371 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Alogliptin, Pioglitazone
Top half

#1,389 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Neem

What is Neem?

Neem
  • Skin conditions
  • Dental and gum health
  • Antimicrobial and antiparasitic
  • Digestive upset
  • Blood sugar support
  • Insect repellent/pesticide

Neem is a tree from India used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially for skin, dental, and antimicrobial purposes. Some small studies are promising for oral health and skin, but high-quality human evidence is limited for most uses. Neem oil and seed extracts can be toxic if swallowed, especially in children, so use with caution and talk to your pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Neem monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Neem

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Neem — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
1,012Moderate
0Minor
1,817No known interaction
Moderate

1,012 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,012 moderate interactions — see all 1,012 on the Neem page.

No interaction 1,817 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Neem and Alogliptin, Pioglitazone Together: Common Questions

Can you take Neem with Alogliptin, Pioglitazone?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Neem and Alogliptin, Pioglitazone?
Alogliptin, Pioglitazone belongs to more than one drug category, and Neem interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Neem and Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.