Drug interactions
Fenofibrate + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Fenofibrate 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
Fibrates may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, and hypoglycemia has been reported when they are combined. Improved insulin sensitivity with fenofibrate may contribute. Patients with low albumin or renal impairment are at higher risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fenofibrate 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.
Fenofibrate belongs to Cardiovascular; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Possible displacement from plasma protein binding combined with additive glucose-lowering pharmacodynamic effects; the evidence for each component is limited.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when fenofibrate is started or stopped in a patient taking tolbutamide. 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 Fenofibrate
- Atorvastatin + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholic acid + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colchicine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colestipol + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Fenofibrate Moderate
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 Fenofibrate with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fenofibrate 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. Fibrates may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, and hypoglycemia has been reported when they are combined. Improved insulin sensitivity with fenofibrate may contribute. Patients with low albumin or renal impairment are at higher risk.
How serious is the interaction between Fenofibrate 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 more frequently when fenofibrate is started or stopped in a patient taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Fenofibrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fenofibrate with, for example, Atorvastatin, Cholestyramine, Cholic acid. The full list is on the Fenofibrate page.
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