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Drug interactions

Glimepiride + Ketoconazole

Severity: Moderate

Glimepiride and Ketoconazole: 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

Ketoconazole may increase glimepiride levels, strengthening its glucose-lowering effect and the risk of hypoglycemia.

What this interaction means in plain words

Glimepiride and Ketoconazole 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; Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Ketoconazole inhibits CYP2C9, the main enzyme metabolizing glimepiride.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping ketoconazole and lower the glimepiride 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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Glimepiride with Ketoconazole?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Ketoconazole 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. Ketoconazole may increase glimepiride levels, strengthening its glucose-lowering effect and the risk of hypoglycemia.

How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Ketoconazole?

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 ketoconazole and lower the glimepiride dose if hypoglycemia occurs.

What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.

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