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Drug interactions

Glimepiride + Phenelzine

Severity: Moderate

Glimepiride and Phenelzine: 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

MAOIs can potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylureas, increasing the risk of prolonged or severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms may be misattributed to psychiatric effects.

What this interaction means in plain words

Glimepiride and Phenelzine 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; Phenelzine belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

MAOIs may enhance insulin secretion and impair counter-regulation, adding to sulfonylurea-induced insulin release; the exact mechanism is not fully established.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose closely when starting, stopping or changing the MAOI. Reduce the sulfonylurea 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 Phenelzine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Phenelzine 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. MAOIs can potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylureas, increasing the risk of prolonged or severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms may be misattributed to psychiatric effects.

How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Phenelzine?

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 when starting, stopping or changing the MAOI. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.

What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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