Drug interactions
Glimepiride + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Glimepiride 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 glimepiride exposure, which can reduce glycemic control. Its inducing effect is weaker than that of rifampin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glimepiride 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.
Glimepiride belongs to Endocrine; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic enzymes, including CYP2C9, increases glimepiride metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when rifabutin is started and increase the glimepiride 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?
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Other interactions of Glimepiride
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 Glimepiride with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride 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 glimepiride exposure, which can reduce glycemic control. Its inducing effect is weaker than that of rifampin.
How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride 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 glimepiride dose if needed. Reassess the dose after rifabutin is stopped to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Glimepiride?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Glimepiride with, for example, Fluconazole, Insulin degludec-liraglutide, Insulin glargine-lixisenatide. The full list is on the Glimepiride page.
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