Drug interactions
Chlorpropamide + Gemfibrozil
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpropamide and Gemfibrozil: 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
Fibrates may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, and hypoglycemia has been reported with such combinations. Chlorpropamide has a long half-life, so hypoglycemia may be prolonged. Patients with low albumin or renal impairment are at higher risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpropamide and Gemfibrozil 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.
Chlorpropamide belongs to Endocrine; Gemfibrozil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Possible displacement from plasma protein binding combined with additive glucose-lowering effects; the evidence is limited.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when gemfibrozil is started or stopped in a patient taking chlorpropamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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 Gemfibrozil
- Daprodustat + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Elagolix + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Metformin-repaglinide Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Repaglinide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Chlorpropamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpropamide with Gemfibrozil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpropamide and Gemfibrozil 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. Fibrates may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, and hypoglycemia has been reported with such combinations. Chlorpropamide has a long half-life, so hypoglycemia may be prolonged. Patients with low albumin or renal impairment are at higher risk.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpropamide and Gemfibrozil?
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 more frequently when gemfibrozil is started or stopped in a patient taking chlorpropamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Gemfibrozil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemfibrozil with, for example, Daprodustat, Elagolix, Mavacamten. The full list is on the Gemfibrozil page.
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