Drug interactions
Glibenclamide + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Glibenclamide and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and may lower glyburide exposure, which can reduce glycemic control. The inducing effect of rifabutin is weaker than that of rifampin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glibenclamide and Rifabutin 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.
Glibenclamide belongs to Endocrine; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic CYP enzymes (including CYP2C9 and CYP3A4) increases glyburide metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when rifabutin is started and increase the glyburide dose if needed. Reassess the dose after rifabutin is stopped 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Glibenclamide and Rifabutin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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
Other interactions of Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glibenclamide with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glibenclamide and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and may lower glyburide exposure, which can reduce glycemic control. The inducing effect of rifabutin is weaker than that of rifampin.
How serious is the interaction between Glibenclamide and Rifabutin?
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 rifabutin is started and increase the glyburide dose if needed. Reassess the dose after rifabutin is stopped to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Glibenclamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Glibenclamide with, for example, Bosentan, Cholic acid, Ciprofloxacin. The full list is on the Glibenclamide page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
