Drug interactions
Glyburide-metformin + Levofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Glyburide-metformin and Levofloxacin: 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
Fluoroquinolones can cause both severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients, particularly those on sulfonylureas. The risk is highest in older patients and those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glyburide-metformin and Levofloxacin 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.
Glyburide-metformin belongs to Endocrine; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Fluoroquinolones alter pancreatic beta-cell potassium channel function, which promotes insulin release, adding to the effect of glyburide.
What to do
Counsel patients on hypoglycemia symptoms and monitor blood glucose closely during the antibiotic course. Reduce the glyburide dose or consider a non-quinolone antibiotic in high-risk patients.
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 Glyburide-metformin
Other interactions of Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glyburide-metformin with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glyburide-metformin and Levofloxacin 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. Fluoroquinolones can cause both severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients, particularly those on sulfonylureas. The risk is highest in older patients and those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Glyburide-metformin and Levofloxacin?
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 monitor blood glucose closely during the antibiotic course. Reduce the glyburide dose or consider a non-quinolone antibiotic in high-risk patients.
What other medicines interact with Glyburide-metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Glyburide-metformin with, for example, Bosentan, Cholic acid, Clarithromycin. The full list is on the Glyburide-metformin page.
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