Drug interactions
Glyburide-metformin + Timolol
Severity: Moderate
Glyburide-metformin and Timolol: 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
Systemic timolol can mask the adrenergic warning signs of hypoglycemia and delay recovery in patients on glyburide. It may also modestly worsen glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glyburide-metformin and Timolol 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; Timolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Non-selective beta blockade masks adrenergic hypoglycemia symptoms and impairs counter-regulatory glucose recovery.
What to do
Counsel patients to recognise sweating and to check glucose when unwell, and monitor glucose more often after starting timolol. Ophthalmic use carries lower but non-zero systemic exposure.
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 Timolol
- Acebutolol + Timolol Major
- Albuterol + Timolol Major
- Aldesleukin + Timolol Major
- Amifostine + Timolol Major
- Amiodarone + Timolol Major
- Arformoterol + Timolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glyburide-metformin with Timolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glyburide-metformin and Timolol 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. Systemic timolol can mask the adrenergic warning signs of hypoglycemia and delay recovery in patients on glyburide. It may also modestly worsen glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Glyburide-metformin and Timolol?
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 to recognise sweating and to check glucose when unwell, and monitor glucose more often after starting timolol. Ophthalmic use carries lower but non-zero systemic exposure.
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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