Drug interactions
Glimepiride + Sulphasalazine
Severity: Moderate
Glimepiride and Sulphasalazine: 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 may modestly enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas such as glimepiride, and hypoglycemia has been described. The effect is inconsistent and generally mild, but can matter in older patients or those with poor intake or renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glimepiride and Sulphasalazine 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; Sulphasalazine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Mechanism is not firmly established; possible displacement from protein binding or additive hypoglycemic effects from the sulfonamide moiety.
What to do
Counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms and check blood glucose more often when sulfasalazine is started or stopped. Reduce the glimepiride dose if low readings occur.
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 Sulphasalazine
- Deferiprone + Sulphasalazine Major
- Pexidartinib + Sulphasalazine Major
- Sepiapterin + Sulphasalazine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Aceclofenac + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Asciminib + Sulphasalazine Moderate
Other interactions of Glimepiride
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glimepiride with Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glimepiride and Sulphasalazine 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 may modestly enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas such as glimepiride, and hypoglycemia has been described. The effect is inconsistent and generally mild, but can matter in older patients or those with poor intake or renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Glimepiride and Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms and check blood glucose more often when sulfasalazine is started or stopped. Reduce the glimepiride dose if low readings occur.
What other medicines interact with Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sulphasalazine with, for example, Deferiprone, Pexidartinib, Sepiapterin. The full list is on the Sulphasalazine page.
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