Drug interactions
Gemifloxacin + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Gemifloxacin 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
Fluoroquinolones can cause serious hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients taking sulfonylureas. Hypoglycemia is the main concern, especially in older adults and those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemifloxacin 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.
Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Fluoroquinolones alter pancreatic beta-cell insulin release, which adds to the insulin-secreting effect of the sulfonylurea.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely during and after the antibiotic course and educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose or change the antibiotic if glucose is unstable.
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 Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
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 Gemifloxacin with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemifloxacin 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. Fluoroquinolones can cause serious hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients taking sulfonylureas. Hypoglycemia is the main concern, especially in older adults and those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Gemifloxacin 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 closely during and after the antibiotic course and educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose or change the antibiotic if glucose is unstable.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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