Drug interactions
Diclofenac + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Diclofenac 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
Both drugs are CYP2C9 substrates, and NSAIDs may enhance sulfonylurea glucose-lowering, occasionally leading to hypoglycemia. Clinical effects are usually mild.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diclofenac 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.
Diclofenac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Competition for CYP2C9 metabolism and possible protein binding displacement may raise exposure to either drug.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping diclofenac and 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 Diclofenac
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Diclofenac Major
- Acemetacin + Diclofenac Major
- Alteplase + Diclofenac Major
- Amiloride + Diclofenac Major
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 Diclofenac with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diclofenac 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. Both drugs are CYP2C9 substrates, and NSAIDs may enhance sulfonylurea glucose-lowering, occasionally leading to hypoglycemia. Clinical effects are usually mild.
How serious is the interaction between Diclofenac 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 when starting or stopping diclofenac and reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Diclofenac?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diclofenac with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Diclofenac page.
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