Drug interactions
Flurbiprofen + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Flurbiprofen 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
Flurbiprofen may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of tolbutamide and cause hypoglycemia. Both drugs are CYP2C9 substrates and highly protein bound, so competition is plausible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Flurbiprofen 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.
Flurbiprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Competition for CYP2C9 metabolism and protein binding may raise free tolbutamide levels.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping flurbiprofen and lower 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 Flurbiprofen
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Flurbiprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acemetacin + Flurbiprofen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Flurbiprofen Major
- Alteplase + Flurbiprofen 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 Flurbiprofen with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Flurbiprofen 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. Flurbiprofen may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of tolbutamide and cause hypoglycemia. Both drugs are CYP2C9 substrates and highly protein bound, so competition is plausible.
How serious is the interaction between Flurbiprofen 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 flurbiprofen and lower the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia develops.
What other medicines interact with Flurbiprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Flurbiprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Flurbiprofen page.
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