Drug interactions
Guanfacine + Tolbutamide
Severity: Minor
Guanfacine and Tolbutamide: minor 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
Guanfacine, a central alpha-2 agonist, may blunt adrenergic warning symptoms of hypoglycemia such as tremor and palpitations. Patients on tolbutamide may therefore fail to recognize a falling glucose, although sweating is typically preserved.
What this interaction means in plain words
Guanfacine and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Guanfacine belongs to Cardiovascular; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Central sympatholytic action reduces catecholamine-mediated hypoglycemia warning symptoms.
What to do
Counsel patients that hypoglycemia symptoms may be muted and encourage regular blood glucose self-monitoring.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Tolbutamide
- Glyburide-metformin + Tolbutamide Major
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Tolbutamide Major
- Aceclofenac + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acemetacin + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Albiglutide + Tolbutamide Moderate
Other interactions of Guanfacine
- Clonidine + Guanfacine Major
- Guanfacine + Lofexidine Major
- Aldesleukin + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amiodarone + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amisulpride + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Guanfacine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Guanfacine with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Guanfacine and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Guanfacine, a central alpha-2 agonist, may blunt adrenergic warning symptoms of hypoglycemia such as tremor and palpitations. Patients on tolbutamide may therefore fail to recognize a falling glucose, although sweating is typically preserved.
How serious is the interaction between Guanfacine and Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients that hypoglycemia symptoms may be muted and encourage regular blood glucose self-monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tolbutamide with, for example, Glyburide-metformin, Insulin degludec-liraglutide, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Tolbutamide page.
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