Drug interactions
Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol-chlorthalidone 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
Chlorthalidone can raise blood glucose and reduce the effect of sulfonylureas such as tolbutamide. Atenolol may also mask adrenergic warning symptoms of hypoglycemia and delay recovery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol-chlorthalidone 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.
Atenolol-chlorthalidone belongs to Cardiovascular; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Thiazide-induced hyperglycemia opposes sulfonylurea action, while beta-blockade blunts hypoglycemia awareness.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting or changing therapy and titrate the tolbutamide dose accordingly. Warn the patient that some hypoglycemia symptoms may be masked.
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 Atenolol-chlorthalidone
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol-chlorthalidone with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol-chlorthalidone 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. Chlorthalidone can raise blood glucose and reduce the effect of sulfonylureas such as tolbutamide. Atenolol may also mask adrenergic warning symptoms of hypoglycemia and delay recovery.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol-chlorthalidone 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: Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting or changing therapy and titrate the tolbutamide dose accordingly. Warn the patient that some hypoglycemia symptoms may be masked.
What other medicines interact with Atenolol-chlorthalidone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atenolol-chlorthalidone with, for example, Acebutolol, Aldesleukin, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Atenolol-chlorthalidone page.
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