Drug interactions
Glimepiride + Ibuprofen
Severity: Moderate
Glimepiride and Ibuprofen: 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
NSAIDs may enhance the blood-glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, occasionally resulting in hypoglycemia. The effect is inconsistent and generally modest with ibuprofen.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glimepiride and Ibuprofen 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.
Glimepiride belongs to Endocrine; Ibuprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Possible displacement from plasma protein binding and reduced CYP2C9 metabolism of the sulfonylurea; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping ibuprofen and counsel the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms; reduce the sulfonylurea dose if glucose falls.
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 Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ibuprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ibuprofen Major
- Amiloride + Ibuprofen Major
- Apixaban + Ibuprofen Major
Other interactions of Glimepiride
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glimepiride with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Ibuprofen 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. NSAIDs may enhance the blood-glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, occasionally resulting in hypoglycemia. The effect is inconsistent and generally modest with ibuprofen.
How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Ibuprofen?
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 ibuprofen and counsel the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms; reduce the sulfonylurea dose if glucose falls.
What other medicines interact with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ibuprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Ibuprofen page.
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