Drug interactions
Aminolevulinic acid + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Aminolevulinic acid and Tolbutamide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Oral aminolevulinic acid used for visualization in surgery causes transient skin photosensitivity. Tolbutamide may rarely cause photosensitivity, so phototoxic effects may be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aminolevulinic acid and Tolbutamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Aminolevulinic acid belongs to Miscellaneous; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive photosensitizing effects of protoporphyrin accumulation and sulfonylurea-related photosensitivity.
What to do
Counsel the patient to avoid sunlight and bright light for the period in the aminolevulinic acid labeling. Monitor the skin for reactions and avoid other phototoxic drugs for 24 hours around the procedure.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Tolbutamide
- Glyburide-metformin + Tolbutamide Major
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Tolbutamide Major
- Aceclofenac + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acemetacin + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Albiglutide + Tolbutamide Moderate
Other interactions of Aminolevulinic acid
- Acitretin + Aminolevulinic acid Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Doxycycline Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Isotretinoin Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amiodarone Moderate
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan Moderate
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aminolevulinic acid with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aminolevulinic acid and Tolbutamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Oral aminolevulinic acid used for visualization in surgery causes transient skin photosensitivity. Tolbutamide may rarely cause photosensitivity, so phototoxic effects may be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Aminolevulinic acid and Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel the patient to avoid sunlight and bright light for the period in the aminolevulinic acid labeling. Monitor the skin for reactions and avoid other phototoxic drugs for 24 hours around the procedure.
What other medicines interact with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tolbutamide with, for example, Glyburide-metformin, Insulin degludec-liraglutide, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Tolbutamide page.
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