Drug interactions
Glimepiride + Sulfasalazine
Severity: Moderate
Glimepiride and Sulfasalazine: 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
Sulfasalazine has been reported to potentiate the blood glucose lowering of sulfonylureas, occasionally causing hypoglycemia. The clinical effect is usually modest but can matter in vulnerable patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glimepiride and Sulfasalazine 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.
Why it happens
The mechanism is not well established; the sulfonamide moiety may affect protein binding or CYP2C9 metabolism of the sulfonylurea.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose after starting or changing sulfasalazine therapy. Lower the glimepiride dose if glucose falls too low.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glimepiride with Sulfasalazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Sulfasalazine 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. Sulfasalazine has been reported to potentiate the blood glucose lowering of sulfonylureas, occasionally causing hypoglycemia. The clinical effect is usually modest but can matter in vulnerable patients.
How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Sulfasalazine?
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 after starting or changing sulfasalazine therapy. Lower the glimepiride dose if glucose falls too low.
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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