Drug interactions
Gymnema + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Gymnema and Tolbutamide: 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
Gymnema sylvestre lowers blood glucose and may increase insulin secretion, so it can add to the effect of tolbutamide. Hypoglycemia has been a theoretical and occasionally reported concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gymnema and Tolbutamide 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
Additive glucose-lowering via enhanced insulin secretion and reduced intestinal glucose absorption.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely if gymnema is used and reduce the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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 Tolbutamide
- Glyburide-metformin + Tolbutamide Major
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Tolbutamide Major
- Aceclofenac + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acemetacin + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Albiglutide + Tolbutamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gymnema with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gymnema and Tolbutamide 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. Gymnema sylvestre lowers blood glucose and may increase insulin secretion, so it can add to the effect of tolbutamide. Hypoglycemia has been a theoretical and occasionally reported concern.
How serious is the interaction between Gymnema and Tolbutamide?
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 closely if gymnema is used and reduce the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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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