Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Glibenclamide
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Glibenclamide: 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
Dexamethasone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering effect of glyburide. Glycemic control may deteriorate during steroid therapy, and hypoglycemia can occur when the steroid is reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Glibenclamide 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.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Glibenclamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing the effect of the sulfonylurea.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose regularly during dexamethasone treatment and adjust glyburide dosing as needed. Reduce doses again as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
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 Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Glibenclamide
- Bosentan + Glibenclamide Contraindicated
- Cholic acid + Glibenclamide Major
- Ciprofloxacin + Glibenclamide Major
- Clarithromycin + Glibenclamide Major
- Fluconazole + Glibenclamide Major
- Glibenclamide + Insulin degludec-liraglutide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Glibenclamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Glibenclamide 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. Dexamethasone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering effect of glyburide. Glycemic control may deteriorate during steroid therapy, and hypoglycemia can occur when the steroid is reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Glibenclamide?
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 regularly during dexamethasone treatment and adjust glyburide dosing as needed. Reduce doses again as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexamethasone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Mifepristone, Rilpivirine. The full list is on the Dexamethasone page.
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