Drug interactions
Bexarotene + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Bexarotene 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
Bexarotene acts as an insulin sensitizer through RXR activation and may add to the effect of sulfonylureas. Hypoglycemia has been reported with combinations of bexarotene and antidiabetic drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bexarotene 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.
Bexarotene belongs to Oncology; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic enhancement of insulin sensitivity alongside tolbutamide-induced insulin secretion.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely after starting bexarotene. Reduce the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia develops.
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 Bexarotene
- Bexarotene + Gemfibrozil Major
- Bexarotene + Lorlatinib Major
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Bexarotene Moderate
- Amobarbital + Bexarotene Moderate
- Aprepitant + Bexarotene Moderate
- Axitinib + Bexarotene Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bexarotene with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bexarotene 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. Bexarotene acts as an insulin sensitizer through RXR activation and may add to the effect of sulfonylureas. Hypoglycemia has been reported with combinations of bexarotene and antidiabetic drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Bexarotene 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 closely after starting bexarotene. Reduce the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia develops.
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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